There are many puzzles in Jesus’ teaching, for example: “The Lord has praised the dishonest steward”, “Make friends with wicked mammon”. Could these be persuasion for fraud and corruption? No way. Jesus spoke and still speaks to people immersed in the world, functioning in various dependencies and systems, using various means and tools in their lives … All this has consequences not only for the present life. The “style” of the earthly pilgrimage often determines the eternal end. The praise of the dishonest steward refers his concern for the future. The belief that the future is now being decided is worth appreciating. Jesus encourages us to think of our eternity with no less cleverness. What can we do now to make our eternity happy?
It only makes sense to use “wicked mammon,” or whatever means we have at our disposal, when we are “admitted to the eternal tabernacles.” It becomes clear that these “Eternal Tabernacles” are more important than any “mammon“. Mammon can help us achieve them or deprive us of this chance. It all depends on how we use it.