Bible Strands
Luke 16:11
So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his followers, using the immediate context of Luke 16:10 and Luke 16:12 to frame his teaching on stewardship. He speaks directly to them following a parable about a shrewd manager to explain how earthly resources test spiritual readiness.
The words — The Greek phrase ἀδίκῳ μαμωνᾷ (adikō mamōna) translates literally to "unrighteous wealth." The participle πιστοὶ (pistoi) means "faithful" or "trustworthy."
The thread — This theme of testing stewardship with earthly resources appears in Luke 16:10 and Luke 16:12. The contrast between temporary wealth and eternal inheritance echoes Luke 12:33, Proverbs 8:18, and James 2:5.
Why it lands — The text states that failure to be faithful with worldly wealth results in being denied true riches. It asks the reader to examine their handling of material resources as proof of their readiness for eternal trust.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Cross-references
- Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
- Proverbs 8:18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.