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.
Sell {G4453} that ye {G5216} have {G5224}, and {G2532} give {G1325} alms {G1654}; provide {G4160} yourselves {G1438} bags {G905} which wax {G3822} not {G3361} old {G3822}, a treasure {G2344} in {G1722} the heavens {G3772} that faileth not {G413}, where {G3699} no {G3756} thief {G2812} approacheth {G1448}, neither {G3761} moth {G4597} corrupteth {G1311}.
Sell what you own and do tzedakah — make for yourselves purses that don’t wear out, riches in heaven that never fail, where no burglar comes near, where no moth destroys.
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.
Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
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Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me. -
Luke 18:22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. -
Acts 2:45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. -
Acts 4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, -
Acts 4:35
And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. -
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 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:33 presents a profound and challenging teaching from Jesus about the nature of wealth, security, and discipleship. Following His admonition not to worry about earthly provisions, this verse pivots to a direct instruction on how believers should handle their material possessions, reorienting their focus from temporary gain to eternal investment.
Context
This verse is part of Jesus' extended discourse to His disciples and a large crowd concerning anxiety, trust in God, and the pursuit of the Kingdom. Immediately prior, Jesus encourages His followers not to be anxious about food or clothing, assuring them that God, who cares for the birds and lilies, will provide for His children if they seek His kingdom first (Luke 12:22-31). Verse 33 then serves as a practical, radical response to this divine provision and a tangible demonstration of where one's true priorities lie. It sets the stage for the famous saying in Luke 12:34: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "alms" is eleemosynē (ἐλεημοσύνη), which carries the meaning of 'pity, mercy, compassion', and by extension, 'acts of charity' or 'almsgiving'. This highlights that giving is not merely a duty but an act stemming from a heart of mercy and compassion towards those in need. The phrase "bags which wax not old" (θύλακας ἀρχαίους οὐκ ἀρχαίους) emphasizes the perishable nature of earthly storage and wealth, contrasting it with the imperishable nature of heavenly rewards.
Practical Application
For believers today, Luke 12:33 serves as a powerful reminder to examine our relationship with money and possessions. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of generosity and to hold our earthly resources with an open hand, recognizing that they are ultimately God's and are to be used for His glory and the good of others. This verse challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, investing our time, talents, and treasures in ways that yield lasting spiritual fruit rather than focusing solely on temporary material gains. It prompts us to consider where our true security lies and what kind of treasure we are truly building for ourselves.