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.

LUKE 12:33KJV
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Luke 12:33 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:33 mean?

In Luke 12:33, Jesus tells his listeners to sell their possessions and give to people in need. He connects that generosity with treasure in heaven, describing a kind of wealth that cannot be lost through theft or decay.

Jesus speaks to his disciples after telling them that their Father is pleased to give them the kingdom (Luke 12:32). His picture of bags that never wear out contrasts with ordinary money bags, which would eventually wear out and leave their contents vulnerable.

The Greek behind Luke 12:33

  • “alms” — ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē): This word refers to a gift given to help someone in need. Jesus names a particular use for the proceeds from selling possessions: helping other people.
  • “bags” — βαλλάντιον (ballantion): This word refers to a purse or money bag. Jesus uses a familiar container for money to picture the keeping of heavenly treasure.
  • “faileth not” — ἀνέκλειπτος (anekleiptos): This word carries the sense of not running out or being exhausted. It adds to the picture of treasure that remains available rather than being used up.

Why Luke 12:33 matters

  • Jesus speaks of treasure as more than something stored on earth. He places this treasure “in the heavens,” beyond the reach of a thief or a moth.
  • Jesus links possessions with a person’s deepest concerns. In the next verse, he says, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).

Where else these words appear

“wax” Greek G3822 · used in 3 verses

  • Hebrews 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
  • Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

“moth” Greek G4597 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

“bags” Greek G905 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
  • Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
  • Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

“corrupteth” Greek G1311 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
  • 1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
  • Revelation 8:9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.