What's the Church's teaching on Luke 16:9?

[brb3]

“Make to you friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations”

 

[Ferds_Guiang]

I believe what Christ would like to tell us is that money should be used properly, not to be accumulated inordinately nor be hoarded and stored in bank accounts just for the sake of Having money but to be used for our needs and the needs of other people. If one is truly unselfish with money then that person may create friends- sincere or otherwise. And herein lies a great teaching- money may fail to bring more life to you here and beyond but true friends are a treasure for life!

 

[brb3]

I believe what Christ would like to tell us is that money should be used properly, not to be accumulated inordinately nor be hoarded and stored in bank accounts just for the sake of Having money but to be used for our needs and the needs of other people. If one is truly unselfish with money then that person may create friends- sincere or otherwise. And herein lies a great teaching- money may fail to bring more life to you here and beyond but true friends are a treasure for life!

I have no argue with your statement above. But, is this the full meaning of Luke 16:9 ?

Why are we to seek out SECULAR friends … if this ultimately causes us to FAIL ? And who is THEY here … that receives us into an ETERNITY? Finally, is this eternity Heaven or Hell ?

 

[JRKH]

There seems to be some discrepency in just how this verse should be translated. Some have it “when you fail” others say “when it fails…”

** Luke 16:9 **
The Holy Bible, New International Version®
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

The King James Version (Authorized)
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

The New King James Version
"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

The New Revised Standard Version
And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

The Douay-Rheims Bible
And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity: that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

The NAS Strong’s Version
"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.

New American Bible
"What I say to you is this: Make friends for yourselves through the use of this worlds goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.

Young’s Literal Translation
and I say to you, Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye may fail, they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.

J.P. Green’s Literal Translation
And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends by the unrighteous mammon, that when it fails they may take you into the eternal dwellings.

Even the two “literal” translations disagree on which is correct.
Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye…
hmmmm - - :whacky:

Peace
James

 

[brb3]

There seems to be some discrepency in just how this verse should be translated. Some have it “when you fail” others say “when it fails…”

** Luke 16:9 **
The Holy Bible, New International Version®
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

The King James Version (Authorized)
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

The New King James Version
"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

The New Revised Standard Version
And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

The Douay-Rheims Bible
And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity: that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

The NAS Strong’s Version
"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.

New American Bible
"What I say to you is this: Make friends for yourselves through the use of this worlds goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.

Young’s Literal Translation
and I say to you, Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye may fail, they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.

J.P. Green’s Literal Translation
And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends by the unrighteous mammon, that when it fails they may take you into the eternal dwellings.

Even the two “literal” translations disagree on which is correct.
Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye…
hmmmm - - :whacky:

Lots of different interpretations you show above. Which of them does the Church teach is the best way to read Luke’s meaning ? Possibly a double meaning … literal and allegory ?

 

[JRKH]

Lots of different interpretations you show above. Which of them does the Church teach is the best way to read Luke’s meaning ? Possibly a double meaning … literal and allegory ?

Well - In the US, we use the NAB (New American Bible, so I guess it should be the closest to what the Church believe sto be the correct understanding of the verse.

"What I say to you is this: Make friends for yourselves through the use of this worlds goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.

Making friends through use of this worlds goods - Being generous
So when the worldy goods fail (and they will) - you will have treasure in heaven.

As for your OP question about seeking out secular friends. Did not Jesus come to the sinners and not the rightious? We do nto shrink from secular friends in order that we may, by our words and example, show Christ to them.

Peace
James

 

[ryanoneil]

Just as the stewards cunning won him a comfortable living in the houses of his master’s debtors, we believers are called to make friends of the poor (by almsgiving) in order to be received into “eternal habitations.”

**Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Lk 12:33-34)

When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 18:22)**

 

[brb3]

"What I say to you is this: Make friends for yourselves through the use of this worlds goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.

Making friends through use of this worlds goods - Being generous
So when the worldy goods fail (and they will) - you will have treasure in heaven.

So, is it really saying

“Give away your worldly goods [via charity/philanthropy], becoming esteemed by the secular world … so when all ones mammon is given away, a Heavenly Reward will await you”

 

[brb3]

J

ust as the stewards cunning won him a comfortable living in the houses of his master’s debtors, we believers are called to make friends of the poor (by almsgiving) in order to be received into “eternal habitations.”

**Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Lk 12:33-34)

When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 18:22)**

Seems Ryanoneil reads it this way …
Except when we give alms, our Lt. hand should not know what the Rt. is doing. It shouldn’t be a contrived act to gain the praise of men. Shouldn’t we give anonymously thru the Church … with only the Father knowing of ?

 

[JRKH]

So, is it really saying

“Give away your worldly goods [via charity/philanthropy], becoming esteemed by the secular world … so when all ones mammon is given away, a Heavenly Reward will await you”

I look at it differently.

Jesus told his disciples to not worry about what they are to eat or where they are to sleep. He told us to treat others as we wish to be treated. He taught to Love God and Trust God. He tells us not to be attached to worldy and corporeal things. He also tells us to do things for those who cannot repay us.

If we treat others in the ways shown above, even if we don’t give away ALL we have, then we will make friends. Good friends who do not forget our kindness. We also learn to live frugally, austerely, so that we do not waste those blessings that God has given us.
Should we ever find ourselves in dire straights, we will have friends who we can count on to help us AND we will not “miss” a lot of things we never needed in the first place.

Lastly, making friends in this way, being generous and Loving God and neighbor, shows to others God’s Love. God then sees to it that our “coffers” of love are never empty.

All of this points to a “worldview” that is not worldly but is Godly. Mammon is not a thing to be desired, but a thing to be used for the Glory of God, whether the world esteems us or not.

Peace
James

 

[ryanoneil]

Seems Ryanoneil reads it this way …
Except when we give alms, our Lt. hand should not know what the Rt. is doing. It shouldn’t be a contrived act to gain the praise of men. Shouldn’t we give anonymously thru the Church … with only the Father knowing of ?

We should definately not do it for public esteem. Doing it in private is fine, but there is nothing wrong with exercising our faith in public (with the proper intention).

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:16)

 

[brb3]

We should definately not do it for public esteem. Doing it in private is fine, but there is nothing wrong with exercising our faith in public (with the proper intention).

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:16)

Its so tempting to build an interpretation on several verses. What I’m finding is the ECF’s were the experts. They pulled ALL the relevant scriptures in for consideration, all Christ’s Parables, and could build as consistent interpretation on most any question we can ask. I’m particularily enjoying reading St. Clement of Alex., and seeing how he used this technique.

 

[thistle]

“Make to you friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations”

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 9. Make for yourselves friends, &c. Not that we are authorized to wrong our neighbour, to give to the poor: evil is never to be done, that good may come from it. (St. Thomas Aquinas) — But we are exhorted to make the poor our friends before God, by relieving them with the riches which justly indeed belong to us, but are called the mammon of iniquity, because only the iniquitous man esteems them as riches, on which he sets his affections; whilst the riches of the virtuous are wholly celestial and spiritual. (St. Augustine, de quæst. Evang.) — Of the mammon of iniquity. Mammon is a Syriac word for riches; and so it might be translated, of the riches of iniquity. Riches are called unjust, and riches of iniquity, not of themselves, but because they are many times the occasion of unjust dealings, and of all kind of vices. (Witham) — Mammon signifies riches. They are here called the mammon of iniquity, because oftentimes ill-gotten, ill-bestowed, or an occasion of evil; and at the best are but worldly, and false: and not the true riches of a Christian. — They may receive. By this we see, that the poor servants of God, whom we have relieved by our alms, may hereafter, by their intercession, bring our souls to heaven. (Challoner) — They may receive you into their eternal tabernacles. What a beautiful thought this! What a consolation to the rich man, when the term of his mortal existence is approaching, to think he shall have as many advocates to plead for his admittance into the eternal mansions of rest, as he has made friends among the poor by relieving their temporal wants. The rich give to the poor earthly treasures, the latter return in recompense eternal and infinite happiness. Hence we must infer, that the advantage is all on the side of the giver; according to the saying of our Lord, happier is the condition of him who gives, than of him who receives. (Haydock)

 

[ryanoneil]

Its so tempting to build an interpretation on several verses. What I’m finding is the ECF’s were the experts. They pulled ALL the relevant scriptures in for consideration, all Christ’s Parables, and could build as consistent interpretation on most any question we can ask. I’m particularily enjoying reading St. Clement of Alex., and seeing how he used this technique.

Since I returned to the faith I’m fascinated with connecting the dots.

 

[JRKH]

Since I returned to the faith I’m fascinated with connecting the dots.

Me too to an extent. Of course the thing to remember is that the central “Dot” is Love. Always try to see how verses and passages refelct the Love of God, for Love is the commandment upon which “All of the Law and All of the prophets” are based.

Peace
James

 

[ryanoneil]

Me too to an extent. Of course the thing to remember is that the central “Dot” is Love. Always try to see how verses and passages refelct the Love of God, for Love is the commandment upon which “All of the Law and All of the prophets” are based.

Peace
James

Thanks for the reminder James! Sometimes I focus to much on God’s justice.

 

[John7]

Καὶ ἐγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω,
ἑαυτοῖς ποιήσατε φίλους
ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας,
ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ δέξωνται ὑμᾶς
εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς.

ἐκλίπῃ =ekliph the verb is 3rd person singular, therefore ‘he/she/it fails’ (ie the mammon). This variant found in NA27/UBS4 Greek NT (I think NAB and NASB uses this)

but there is another variant of this word that’s found in the Received Text (KJV based on)

εκλιπητε = ekliphte here the verb is 2nd person plural, which would read ‘you (pl) fail’

So depending on which Greek variant is used, it could be translated:
‘it fail’ -or-
‘you (pl) fail’

 

[aikay]

Here is another interpretation that is very helpful:

Characters in the parable:
“Master”: – God
“The shrewd Stewart:” – you and I
“Unrighteous money:” – wealth that doesn’t belong to the shrewd Stewart
“Friends”/“they” – people in purgatory. They owe the Master
“Eternal home” – heaven

The parable is about praying for souls in purgatory using unrighteous money.
Remember the parable says that the friends whose debts the shrewd steward reduced will help the shrewd Stewart enter into “an eternal home”.

Note that in the parable it is unquestionable that the friends are already destined to have an eternal home. ( Souls in purgatory are destined for heaven they just have a debt to pay to God.)

you and I are stewards of many beautiful “Unrighteous money” such as the sacraments and above all The Eucharist. When we use these Treasures to help people in purgatory i.e. through prayer, we will be storing for ourselves real treasures in heaven. Specifically, when we die, and we have messed up our chances of getting into heaven, then those people in purgatory who we prayed for and who are now in heaven, will vouch for us or petition God for us and we will enter heaven.
…

interpretation is from one of Dr. Brant Pitre s video online.

 

[Jeanne1184]

“Make to you friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations”

I always assumed this verse was one of those ‘testers’. Have only had the Comp. Bible for a short time but it is coming in handy and might move up to the 1st choice position.

Companion Bible of AV 1611

Luke 16:9 - "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon…

Notes: “And=And, Do I say unto you? & c. Is this what I say to you? In v. 10-12 the Lord gives the reason why He does not say that; otherwise these verses are wholly inconsequent, instead of being the true application of v. 1-8.”

 

[mikekle]

I wonder why we dont hear alot of priests telling their parishes to give away all their money and secular goods and go and follow God? Im sure there are some, but in no CC Ive been to, have I heard anything remotely close to this.