Luke 16:11
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about being honest with money, but about recognizing that faithfulness in any stewardship, even with temporary "unrighteous wealth" (riches that easily lead to wrong choices), is the test for receiving the truly valuable and lasting riches from God.
Jesus has just told the parable of the shrewd manager who was about to be fired for mismanagement. He highlights how the manager, though dishonest, cleverly secured his future by reducing the debts of his master's debtors. This story leads Jesus to draw a comparison between the "children of this world" and the "children of light," urging his followers to be as wise and forward-thinking in spiritual matters as worldly people are in their own affairs.
Understand the original words
pistos · Greek Adjective
Relates to trustworthiness, reliability, and steadfastness in keeping a commitment or fulfilling a duty. Biblically, it describes the character of one who is loyal to God's standards.
mamōnas adikos · Greek Noun
Refers to material possessions or worldly resources. Often contrasted with spiritual wealth, it is called "unrighteous" because it is frequently used to serve selfish ends rather than God.
alēthinos ploutos · Greek Adjective
Genuine, lasting spiritual value provided by God, typically referring to the gospel, righteousness, and the kingdom of God.
This verse highlights the contrast between temporary earthly possessions and eternal spiritual realities. It was spoken in a context where Jesus was challenging the prevailing materialistic values of some Jewish leaders, emphasizing that how one handles earthly wealth is a test of their readiness for heavenly riches.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches the Parable
Jesus tells the Parable of the Unjust Steward to his disciples, which includes the verse in question. This teaching likely occurred during his final journey to Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Pharisees Mock Jesus
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, hear Jesus' teachings and ridicule him, leading to further discourse on serving God and mammon.
c. 60-62 AD
Luke Compiles the Gospels
The Apostle Luke, a companion of Paul and a careful researcher, records Jesus' teachings, including this parable, for a wider audience.
c. 64 AD
Paul Writes to Timothy
The Apostle Paul, also a close associate of Luke, writes to Timothy, emphasizing that true riches are often contrasted with earthly wealth and that faithfulness in stewardship is key.
This passage highlights God's trust in those who are faithful with 'little' earthly resources, promising them greater responsibility, mirroring the principle in Luke 16:11 about faithfulness leading to greater trusts.
1 Timothy 6:17-19This passage contrasts the 'proud' and 'unrighteous' nature of earthly riches with the 'living God' who provides 'true riches,' directly echoing the contrast between 'unrighteous mammon' and 'true riches' in Luke 16:11.
Proverbs 19:17This proverb states that whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, suggesting that acts of faithfulness with earthly resources can yield divine favor, which aligns with Jesus' point about how faithfulness with 'unrighteous mammon' leads to receiving 'true riches'.
Matthew 6:24This verse directly states that one cannot serve both God and money ('mammon'), reinforcing the idea in Luke 16:11 that a divided or unfaithful heart concerning earthly wealth will not be entrusted with spiritual realities.
calvinLuke 16:1-15: "And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods."
- And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused to him that he was wasting his estate. 2. And he called him, and said to him, What is this that I hear of thee? render an account of thy stewardship, for thou shalt no longer have it in thy power to be steward. 3. And the stew…
vincentLuke 16:11: "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
FaithfulFidelity is, therefore, possible toward the unrighteous mammon.
The verse isn't just about being honest with money, but about recognizing that faithfulness in any stewardship, even with temporary "unrighteous wealth" (riches that easily lead to wrong choices), is the test for receiving the truly valuable and lasting riches from God.
Jesus has just told the parable of the shrewd manager who was about to be fired for mismanagement. He highlights how the manager, though dishonest, cleverly secured his future by reducing the debts of his master's debtors. This story leads Jesus to draw a comparison between the "children of this world" and the "children of light," urging his followers to be as wise and forward-thinking in spiritual matters as worldly people are in their own affairs.
Jesus has just told the parable of the shrewd manager who was about to be fired for mismanagement. He highlights how the manager, though dishonest, cleverly secured his future by reducing the debts of his master's debtors. This story leads Jesus to draw a comparison between the "children of this world" and the "children of light," urging his followers to be as wise and forward-thinking in spiritual matters as worldly people are in their own affairs.
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"If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?" — The verse isn't just about being honest with money, but about recognizing that faithfulness in any stewardship, even with temporary "unrighteous wealth" (riches that easily lead to wrong choices),…
