Luke 12:21

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Luke 12:21

Luke 12:21 serves as the profound concluding statement to Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool, found in Luke 12:16-20. In this parable, a wealthy man builds larger barns to store his abundant harvest, planning for a life of ease and self-indulgence, only to die unexpectedly that very night. Jesus uses this narrative to directly address a man who asked Him to tell his brother to divide an inheritance, highlighting the dangers of covetousness and placing ultimate value on earthly possessions. The verse emphasizes the spiritual folly of such a life, especially in a society where wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor, but Jesus challenged this conventional wisdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Vanity of Earthly Accumulation: The verse starkly contrasts a life devoted to amassing personal wealth with one that prioritizes spiritual richness. It highlights the fleeting nature of material possessions, which cannot accompany a person beyond death.
  • True Riches are Spiritual: Jesus defines true wealth not by what one possesses in the world, but by one's standing and investment "toward God." This involves a life of faith, good works, generosity, and obedience, focusing on eternal rather than temporal rewards.
  • God's Perspective on Wealth: The commentary on the rich fool's life reveals God's judgment on self-centered materialism. From God's viewpoint, a life rich only in earthly goods is ultimately impoverished and foolish, especially when it neglects the spiritual and eternal.
  • Security in God, Not Possessions: The parable and this concluding verse teach that genuine security and lasting contentment come from a relationship with God and aligning one's life with His purposes, rather than relying on stored-up treasures.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "layeth up treasure for himself" comes from the Greek verb thesaurizo (θησαυρίζω), meaning "to store up," "to accumulate," or "to hoard." It speaks to the act of gathering and keeping wealth primarily for one's own benefit and security. The crucial contrast is "and is not rich toward God." The Greek phrase plouteo eis theon (πλουτῶ εἰς θεόν) literally means "to be rich into God" or "to be rich for God." This isn't merely about possessing spiritual knowledge, but actively investing one's life, resources, and priorities in ways that honor God, serve others, and build up His kingdom, thereby accumulating spiritual capital with eternal value. This concept resonates with Matthew 6:20, which encourages laying up "treasures in heaven."

Practical Application

Luke 12:21 challenges modern believers to critically examine their priorities and aspirations. In a consumer-driven world, the temptation to accumulate wealth and possessions for personal comfort and perceived security is ever-present. This verse calls us to consider:

  • Our Ultimate Treasure: Where do we place our highest value? Is it on earthly goods that can be lost, stolen, or left behind, or on spiritual investments that have eternal significance?
  • Stewardship and Generosity: Being "rich toward God" involves recognizing that all we have is from Him and using our resources—time, talents, and money—to bless others and advance His purposes. This includes acts of charity, supporting ministry, and living a life of integrity and faith, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 6:18.
  • Perspective on Life and Death: The verse serves as a powerful reminder of life's brevity and the certainty of death. It urges us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our true worth and legacy are defined by our relationship with God, not by our material net worth.

Ultimately, this verse is a call to align our hearts with God's priorities, seeking true wealth that lasts forever.

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 6:19 (11 votes)

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

  • Matthew 6:20 (11 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

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

  • James 5:3 (7 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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.