In Luke 16:99And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:9) it says, "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail..." In another translation it reads, "When it fail." This is readily understood today when, in many countries, the money used loses its value rapidly. People themselves will surely fail, but we can daily see the changes in the value of money (the mammon of unrighteousness).
Currencies are rated against the U.S. dollar, and each other, as well as gold. One example of the changing value of money is that inflation in Brazil is now about 30% per month. Brazil is one of many countries that uses much U.S. currency. Information I have received through the head of a local bank suggests that about 50% of all the currency of the U.S. is outside the U.S.
Recently we received this paragraph from a highly respected, influential Canadian banker: "Through my work, the total fragility of most world financial systems has become so clear. More than ever before, the world's finances are closely connected as a result of international trade and electronics. Self-discipline is gradually being abandoned, and the will to work hard and do things right is becoming a thing of the past. As a result, the events described in the tribulation are not just something awful, off in the future, but are rather the possible reaction of desperate and wicked men to a world system which will inevitably break down.”
When will it break down? As they frequently say in Latin America, "Dios sabe"—God knows. We do not know, but the warning signs are here. Meanwhile, the believer need not be alarmed, but rather stirred up to use the wonderful opportunities to do what we learn farther on in Luke 19. The certain nobleman called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds and said unto them, "Occupy till I come." The J. N. Darby translation says, "Trade while I am coming.”
There is none so noble as our Lord Jesus Christ. He has gone into heaven and given believers the privilege as His servants to use for Him all that He has committed to us. The words "while I am coming" make it seem very near at hand.
You may be interested to know that the paper bills—the dollars that we use—are 6 and 3/16 inches long. Two bills laid end to end are a little longer than one foot. Just to make it easy in our calculations, let us lap them so that two are exactly one foot. When placed this way, to make one mile it would take 10,560 bills. The measurement of the earth at the equator is stated to be 24,902 miles. If we multiply that distance by the number of bills in one mile, the astonishing figure is 262,965,120. In order to try to understand in a more physical way, you may want to see how long a distance the 1.4 trillion bills that make the cash payout of the United States each year would be.
In the time of famine in Egypt we read in Gen. 47:1515And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. (Genesis 47:15), "And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth." In contrast to people and money that do fail, we have assurance of the Lord who does not fail. Surely we, too, can claim the promise given in Deut. 31:88And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8), "And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." (See also 1 Cor. 13:88Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Corinthians 13:8).) Ed.