Luke 12:33

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Luke 12:33 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
The Message Bible (MSG)
33 "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on.
American Standard Version (ASV)
33 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.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
33 "Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can't get close enough to destroy your treasure.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won't grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
33 Sell what you own. Give to those who are poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out. Put away riches in heaven that will not be used up. There, no thief can come near it. There, no moth can destroy it.

Luke 12:33 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:33

Sell that ye have, and give alms
Since they had a kingdom bequeathed them by their heavenly Father, they should be so far from indulging an anxious care about food and raiment, that when there was a call in providence for it, and rather than the poor should go without a supply, it became them to sell their houses and lands, and whatever possessions they had, and relieve them; and so they did not long after; for some of those who sold their estates, and brought the money to the apostles, ( Acts 4:34 Acts 4:35 ) , might be now present; and the more readily and cheerfully do what they did, remembering these words of Christ:

provide yourselves bags which wax not old;
as do the bags of misers: their bag is, (bwqn rwru) , "a bag pierced through", or that has a hole in it, which lets the money out as it is put in, ( Haggai 1:6 ) and which the Targum renders by, (atraml) , "for a curse"; as money hoarded up in bags by covetous persons generally is: Christ would have his followers put their money up in other bags; not in such which rot through age, or are worn out, and are full of holes through use; but into the hands and bellies of the poor, the fruit and reward of which will always abide;

a treasure in the heavens that faileth not:
whereas treasure on earth does, being either taken away from the possessors of it by various ways, or they from that:

where no thief approacheth;
can come near to steal it away, which is often the case here on earth:

neither moth corrupteth;
as it does the best of garments, wore by men: but the robes of glory and immortality can never be corrupted: (See Gill on Matthew 6:20).

Luke 12:33 In-Context

31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

Cross References 3

  • 1. Matthew 19:21; S Acts 2:45
  • 2. S Matthew 6:20
  • 3. S James 5:2
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