Luke 12:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:33 presents a radical call from Jesus for His disciples to reorient their relationship with material possessions, urging them to divest earthly wealth through generous almsgiving. This act of self-emptying is presented not as a loss, but as a strategic investment in an eternal, incorruptible "treasure in the heavens" – a secure, unfailing spiritual inheritance that stands in stark contrast to the perishable and vulnerable nature of earthly riches.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal command within Jesus' broader discourse on anxiety, trust in God, and the pursuit of the Kingdom, delivered to His disciples and a large crowd. Immediately preceding it, Jesus addresses the futility of worry about material needs, assuring His followers that God, who clothes the lilies and feeds the ravens, knows their needs and will provide for them if they prioritize His kingdom ([Luke 12:22-31](/luke/12-22-31 "Luke 12:22-31 - Do Not Worry")). Verse 33 serves as the practical, radical outflow of this trust, demonstrating a tangible commitment to God's reign over one's life and possessions. It directly precedes and sets the stage for the profound declaration in [Luke 12:34](/luke/12-34 "Luke 12:34 - Where Your Treasure Is"), "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also," underscoring the deep connection between one's material investments and spiritual affections.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often stored in physical forms like grain, livestock, fine garments, and precious metals. These forms of wealth were susceptible to various threats: grain could rot or be eaten by pests, garments could be ruined by moths, and precious items were vulnerable to theft. There were no secure banking systems as we know them today. Almsgiving (charity to the poor) was a highly valued religious duty, often seen as a way to demonstrate piety and righteousness, rooted in Old Testament commands (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7-8 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Lending to the Poor")). Jesus' command to "sell that ye have, and give alms" would have been understood as a radical, counter-cultural challenge to the prevailing societal norms of accumulating and securing wealth, pushing beyond mere tithes or occasional charity to a deeper, more sacrificial generosity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' teaching. It highlights the theme of **radical discipleship**, calling for a complete reorientation of priorities away from earthly accumulation towards heavenly investment. It emphasizes **trust in divine provision** by encouraging believers to release their grip on material security, knowing God will sustain them. The verse also develops the theme of **true riches**, contrasting the fleeting nature of worldly wealth with the enduring value of spiritual treasure. This concept is foundational to understanding Jesus' economic ethics, which consistently challenge conventional notions of prosperity and security, as seen in parables like the Rich Fool ([Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")) and the Rich Young Ruler ([Luke 18:18-25](/luke/18-18-25 "Luke 18:18-25 - The Rich Young Ruler")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sell (Greek, _pōléō'_):** This verb means "to barter" or "to sell." In this context, it signifies a decisive act of divesting one's material possessions. It implies a willingness to convert assets into liquid form for a specific purpose, highlighting a radical detachment from ownership and a readiness to make a significant sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom.
* **alms (Greek, _eleēmosýnē'_):** Derived from the word for "mercy" or "pity," this term refers to acts of charity or beneficence, specifically giving to the poor. It underscores that the act of selling and giving is not merely a transaction but an expression of compassion and active love towards those in need, flowing from a heart aligned with God's mercy.
* **treasure (Greek, _thēsaurós'_):** This noun denotes a "deposit" or "wealth," whether literal or figurative. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe the enduring, invaluable spiritual reward or security accumulated in heaven through faithful stewardship and sacrificial giving on earth. It stands in stark contrast to earthly wealth, which is inherently perishable and insecure.
* **corrupteth (Greek, _diaphtheírō'_):** Meaning "to rot thoroughly," "to ruin," or "to decay utterly," this verb vividly describes the destructive power of moths on textiles (a form of wealth) and, by extension, the inherent impermanence and vulnerability of all earthly possessions. It emphasizes the ultimate futility of hoarding material wealth, as it is subject to inevitable decay and loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sell that ye have, and give alms":** This opening command sets a radical tone, instructing disciples to liquidate their possessions and distribute the proceeds to the poor. It's not necessarily a universal command for all believers to become destitute, but rather a principle of radical generosity and detachment from material security. It challenges the human tendency to accumulate and hoard, redirecting resources towards compassionate action and the needs of others, thereby demonstrating trust in God's provision rather than personal wealth.
* **"provide yourselves bags which wax not old":** This phrase employs vivid imagery to contrast earthly storage with heavenly security. "Bags" refer to purses or containers for money and valuables, which are subject to wear, tear, and eventual decay. Jesus instructs His followers to "make" or "provide" for themselves a different kind of "bag" – one that is imperishable, symbolizing an enduring, spiritual account or repository that transcends earthly limitations.
* **"a treasure in the heavens that faileth not":** This clause clarifies the nature and location of the true, imperishable "bag." The "treasure" is not physical wealth but a spiritual reward or inheritance, securely stored "in the heavens." The phrase "that faileth not" (Greek: _anékleiptos_) emphasizes its inexhaustible and unfailing nature, guaranteeing its permanence and security, unlike any earthly asset.
* **"where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth":** This final clause reinforces the absolute security of heavenly treasure by contrasting it with the vulnerabilities of earthly wealth. Thieves cannot steal it, and moths, which could destroy valuable garments (a significant form of wealth in ancient times), cannot corrupt it. This imagery powerfully underscores the wisdom of investing in eternal realities, which are beyond the reach of earthly decay, loss, or human malice.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:33 is rich in **Imagery**, using concrete examples like "bags," "treasure," "thief," and "moth" to illustrate abstract spiritual truths about security and value. The verse employs a strong **Contrast** between earthly and heavenly treasures: "bags which wax not old" versus perishable ones, and treasure that "faileth not" and is safe from thieves and moths, compared to vulnerable earthly wealth. This contrast highlights the wisdom of choosing eternal over temporal investments. The command to "Sell that ye have, and give alms" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or a radical call, emphasizing the extreme detachment from material possessions required for true discipleship, rather than a literal universal mandate for all believers to sell everything. This **Metaphorical Language** transforms mundane financial transactions into profound spiritual acts, redefining true wealth not by what is accumulated, but by what is given away for God's purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly shapes Christian theology regarding stewardship, generosity, and eschatology. It teaches that true security and lasting value are not found in material accumulation but in aligning one's resources with God's eternal purposes. By commanding radical generosity, Jesus challenges the idolatry of wealth and calls believers to prioritize the needs of others and the advancement of the Kingdom. This reorientation of priorities is not a loss, but an investment in an incorruptible, eternal inheritance, emphasizing that our ultimate hope and reward are found in God alone, not in earthly provisions. It underscores the principle that our earthly lives are opportunities to store up spiritual capital for eternity, transforming transient resources into everlasting treasures.

* [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")
* [Hebrews 10:34](/hebrews/10-34 "Hebrews 10:34 - A Better and Enduring Substance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:33 calls believers to a profound re-evaluation of their relationship with material possessions in light of eternal realities. It challenges the common human tendency to find security and identity in what we own, urging us instead to cultivate a spirit of radical generosity and dependence on God. For us today, this means asking: Are we holding our possessions loosely, ready to deploy them for God's glory and the good of others? Are our financial decisions driven by a desire for earthly security, or by a longing to invest in the imperishable kingdom of God? This verse invites us to consider how our giving reflects our trust in God's provision and our conviction about the superior value of heavenly treasure. It's a call to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that true wealth is measured not by what we accumulate on earth, but by what we sacrificially invest in God's eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What earthly "bags" or forms of security do I tend to rely on, and how might Luke 12:33 challenge that reliance?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a spirit of radical generosity and detachment from material possessions in my daily life?**
* **How does my current financial stewardship reflect my belief in "treasure in the heavens that faileth not"?**
* **What steps can I take to prioritize investing in eternal spiritual fruit over temporary material gains?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus' command to "sell that ye have, and give alms" mean all Christians must sell all their possessions?**

Answer: While Jesus' words are radical, most biblical scholars interpret this command not as a universal, absolute mandate for every Christian to liquidate all assets, but rather as a principle of radical detachment from material possessions and a call to sacrificial generosity. It challenges the idolatry of wealth and the human tendency to find security in earthly riches. For some, like the rich young ruler ([Luke 18:22](/luke/18-22 "Luke 18:22 - The Rich Young Ruler")), it was a specific, personal command. For others, it establishes a posture of holding possessions loosely, being ready to give generously, and prioritizing heavenly treasure over earthly accumulation. The emphasis is on the heart's posture towards wealth and its willingness to be used for God's purposes and the needs of others.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:33 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself perfectly embodied the principle of divesting earthly glory for heavenly treasure. Though He was rich in divine glory and power, He "made himself poor" for our sakes, taking on the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to death on a cross ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty and Riches"); [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - The Humiliation of Christ")). His ultimate act of self-sacrifice on Calvary was the supreme "giving of alms," providing the spiritual riches of salvation and eternal life to a bankrupt humanity. Through His death and resurrection, Christ secured for believers an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven" ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). Thus, when Jesus commands His followers to lay up treasure in heaven, He is calling them to participate in the very pattern of His own life and mission, living with an eternal perspective rooted in the security of His finished work and the promise of a future, unfading glory with Him ([Colossians 3:1-4](/colossians/3-1-4 "Colossians 3:1-4 - Set Your Minds on Things Above")).

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 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.