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.

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.

Commentary

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

  • Radical Generosity and Detachment: Jesus instructs His followers to "sell that ye have, and give alms." This command emphasizes a profound detachment from material possessions and a commitment to radical generosity. While not necessarily a universal mandate for every believer to liquidate all assets, it underscores the principle that our possessions should be held loosely, ready to be used for God's purposes, especially to aid the needy. It challenges the human tendency to hoard and find security in earthly wealth.
  • Investing in Eternal Security: The core of the verse lies in the directive to "provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." This vivid imagery contrasts perishable earthly wealth with an enduring, secure heavenly treasure. Earthly "bags" (money bags or containers for wealth) are temporary and subject to decay, theft, and destruction by moths (which could ruin clothing, a significant form of wealth in ancient times). In stark contrast, heavenly treasure is incorruptible, eternally safe from any form of loss or decay. This teaching is famously paralleled in Matthew 6:19-21.
  • True Riches and Priorities: This verse redefines true riches not by what one accumulates on earth, but by what one invests in God's kingdom through acts of charity and selfless giving. It calls for a fundamental shift in priorities, urging believers to place their ultimate security and hope not in fleeting material wealth, but in their relationship with God and the eternal rewards that come from faithful stewardship and generosity.

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.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 19:21 (15 votes)

    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 (14 votes)

    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 (13 votes)

    And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.

  • Acts 4:34 (13 votes)

    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 (13 votes)

    And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

  • Matthew 6:19 (12 votes)

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

  • Matthew 6:21 (12 votes)

    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.