Luke 12:33

33 "1Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, 2an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

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 added to you.
32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
33 "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35 "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Matthew 19:21; Luke 11:41; Luke 18:22
  • 2. Matthew 6:20; Luke 12:21
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