Luke 12:21

KJV

So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G3779} is he that layeth up treasure {G2343} for himself {G1438}, and {G2532} is {G4147} not {G3361} rich {G4147} toward {G1519} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That’s how it is with anyone who stores up wealth for himself without being rich toward God.”

Berean Standard Bible

This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

American Standard Version

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:21 serves as a stark concluding indictment to Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool, encapsulating the profound spiritual folly of a life devoted solely to earthly accumulation. It warns against the deceptive nature of material wealth when pursued for selfish gain, contrasting such a path with the eternal and true riches found in a relationship with God. The verse underscores that while one may amass great treasure on earth, if that pursuit neglects spiritual investment and a God-centered life, the individual remains utterly impoverished in the eyes of eternity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the climactic punchline to the [Parable of the Rich Fool](/luke/12-16-20 "Luke 12:16-20 - The Parable of the Rich Fool"), which Jesus tells in response to a man's request for Him to intervene in an inheritance dispute ([Luke 12:13-15](/luke/12-13-15 "Luke 12:13-15 - Warning Against Covetousness")). The parable itself depicts a wealthy farmer whose abundant harvest leads him to build larger barns, planning a life of self-indulgent ease, only to die unexpectedly that very night. Jesus' concluding statement in [Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - The Folly of Earthly Riches") directly interprets the parable's meaning, linking the "rich fool" to anyone who prioritizes self-serving material gain over a relationship with God. It functions as a universal warning against covetousness and a call to re-evaluate one's ultimate priorities, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on anxiety and seeking God's kingdom in [Luke 12:22-34](/luke/12-22-34 "Luke 12:22-34 - Do Not Worry").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, a common theme in the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). This cultural assumption made Jesus' teaching on wealth particularly counter-cultural and challenging. The parable's setting, with a farmer and barns, reflects the agrarian economy of the time, where surplus harvest was indeed a source of security and status. However, Jesus critiques the *attitude* toward wealth—the self-centered accumulation and reliance on it for ultimate security, rather than the wealth itself. His words challenge the prevailing wisdom, asserting that true security and richness are not found in material possessions, which are fleeting, but in one's standing and relationship with God, who holds the ultimate power over life and death.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:21 powerfully encapsulates several major themes prevalent in Jesus' teaching and throughout the broader book of Luke. Primarily, it highlights the **vanity and futility of earthly accumulation** when pursued as an end in itself, echoing the wisdom literature's warnings about the ephemeral nature of material possessions (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 2:18-23](/ecclesiastes/2-18-23 "Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 - Toil and Futility")). Secondly, it defines **true riches as spiritual**, emphasizing that genuine wealth is measured by one's relationship and investment "toward God," rather than by worldly possessions (cf. [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")). This theme underscores the importance of an **eternal perspective**, reminding listeners that life is brief and death is certain, rendering earthly treasures ultimately useless beyond the grave. Finally, the verse reveals **God's judgment on self-centered materialism**, portraying a life rich only in earthly goods as foolish and spiritually impoverished from a divine viewpoint. This aligns with Luke's broader emphasis on social justice, care for the poor, and the dangers of wealth, as seen in passages like the [Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **thēsaurízō (Greek, _thēsaurízō'_):** This verb, translated "layeth up treasure," means "to amass or reserve," "to store up," or "to hoard." It describes the act of gathering and keeping wealth, often with an implication of accumulation for one's own benefit and security. In the context of the parable, it refers to the rich man's excessive and self-focused hoarding of his harvest, beyond what was necessary, for a life of ease.
* **heautoû (Greek, _heautoû'_):** This reflexive pronoun, translated "for himself," emphasizes the self-centered nature of the rich man's actions. His entire plan for his surplus wealth was directed inward—his soul, his ease, his enjoyment. This highlights the contrast with being "rich toward God," which implies an outward, God-directed orientation of one's resources and life.
* **ploutéō (Greek, _ploutéō'_):** This verb means "to be (or become) wealthy" or "to be rich." In the context of the verse, it is contrasted with earthly wealth. To be "rich toward God" (using the preposition *eis*) means to possess spiritual wealth, to be abundant in things that matter to God, such as faith, good works, generosity, and a righteous character.
* **eis (Greek, _eis'_):** This preposition, translated "toward" in "rich toward God," indicates direction, purpose, or result. It suggests a dynamic relationship or orientation. Being "rich *eis* God" implies not merely possessing spiritual knowledge, but actively investing one's life, resources, and priorities *into* God's kingdom, *for* God's purposes, and *resulting in* spiritual capital with eternal value.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself":** This clause directly connects the rich fool's fate to a universal principle. The phrase "layeth up treasure for himself" describes the act of accumulating material possessions and resources with a primary, self-serving focus. It implies a life strategy centered on personal comfort, security, and pleasure, where wealth is seen as an end in itself, rather than a means for God's purposes or a tool for generosity. The "so is he" indicates that the rich fool's tragic end is the inevitable outcome for anyone who adopts this self-centered approach to wealth.
* **"and is not rich toward God":** This is the critical contrasting clause that defines the spiritual deficiency. It reveals the true measure of wealth from God's perspective. To be "not rich toward God" means to lack spiritual capital, to have failed to invest one's life, time, talents, and material resources in ways that honor God, serve His kingdom, and build up eternal value. Despite any earthly abundance, such a person is spiritually bankrupt, having neglected the one relationship and the one set of values that truly endure beyond death.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:21 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the rich fool, who believes he has secured his future, is ironically revealed to be utterly foolish and unprepared for the true reality of death and judgment. His plans for many years are thwarted by a single night. This verse also employs powerful **Contrast**, juxtaposing "treasure for himself" with being "rich toward God." This highlights the fundamental difference between a worldly, self-centered worldview and a spiritual, God-centered one. The concept of "treasure" itself functions as a **Metaphor** for what one values and invests in. Earthly treasure is fleeting, while spiritual treasure, accumulated "toward God," is eternal. The entire parable, culminating in this verse, serves as an **Allegory**, where the characters and events represent deeper spiritual truths about life, death, and divine judgment concerning stewardship and priorities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:21 distills a core biblical truth: true security and lasting value are found not in material possessions, but in one's relationship with God and the eternal kingdom. This verse challenges the human tendency to find ultimate meaning and security in what can be accumulated and controlled, redirecting focus to the ephemeral nature of earthly life and the certainty of divine judgment. It underscores the theological principle of stewardship, reminding believers that all resources are ultimately God's, entrusted to us for His purposes. To be "rich toward God" implies a life of faith, obedience, generosity, and love, where one's priorities are aligned with God's heart for justice, righteousness, and the spread of His kingdom. This spiritual richness is the only true wealth that ensures beyond the grave, securing an eternal inheritance rather than a fleeting earthly one.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [1 Timothy 6:17-19](/1_timothy/6-17-19 "1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Rich in Good Works")
* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in the Day of Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:21 stands as a timeless challenge to every generation, particularly relevant in our consumer-driven, achievement-oriented world. It compels us to critically examine the deepest desires of our hearts and the ultimate destination of our life's energy and resources. Are we, like the rich fool, primarily laying up treasure for ourselves—pursuing comfort, security, status, or pleasure as our highest good? Or are our lives characterized by a conscious effort to be "rich toward God," investing in eternal values, serving others, and advancing His kingdom? This verse calls for a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, urging us to recognize that our true worth and lasting legacy are defined not by our material net worth or worldly achievements, but by our relationship with God and the spiritual fruit we bear. It's a call to generosity, to stewardship, and to living with an acute awareness of life's brevity and eternity's certainty, ensuring that our ultimate treasure is secured in heaven, not on earth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my security and satisfaction—in accumulated possessions or in my relationship with God?**
* **In what practical ways can I shift my focus from "laying up treasure for myself" to being "rich toward God" in my daily life?**
* **If my life were to end today, what would be the true measure of my "riches" in God's eyes?**
* **How does my use of time, talent, and treasure reflect my ultimate priorities and values?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 12:21 mean that all wealth is inherently bad or that Christians should not save money?**

Answer: No, Luke 12:21 does not condemn wealth itself or responsible saving. The issue is not the possession of wealth, but the *attitude* toward it and the *purpose* for which it is accumulated. The rich fool's error was his self-centeredness ("for himself"), his reliance on wealth for ultimate security, and his neglect of God. The Bible teaches responsible stewardship and even saving (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6-8 "Proverbs 6:6-8 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")). However, it consistently warns against covetousness ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")), the love of money ([1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Love of Money")), and trusting in riches ([Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - He Who Trusts in Riches Will Fall")). The verse calls us to hold earthly possessions lightly and to prioritize being "rich toward God" through generosity, faith, and seeking His kingdom first ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:21 finds its ultimate fulfillment and radical redefinition in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential example of one who was "rich toward God," not by accumulating earthly possessions, but by perfectly aligning His life with the Father's will and investing entirely in the kingdom of God. Though "being in the form of God, [He] did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). As [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty and Our Riches") declares, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." Christ's "poverty" was His willingness to forsake heavenly glory and earthly comfort, culminating in His sacrificial death, all to secure for us true, eternal riches: reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance in heaven ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates that true wealth is not found in what one possesses, but in what one gives and in whom one trusts. He enables believers to be "rich toward God" by granting them new life in Him, empowering them by His Spirit to live lives of generosity, faith, and obedience, thereby laying up imperishable treasures in heaven ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")) and participating in His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Luke 12:33

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

James 5:1

¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

James 5:3

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Revelation 2:9

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.