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.
In this passage, Jesus is speaking directly to his followers about the danger of placing too much trust in material possessions. He had just told a parable about a wealthy man who stored up enormous amounts of grain, convinced he had secured his future — and then died that same night. Here, Jesus follows up with a direct command: sell what you own, give the proceeds to the poor, and in doing so, build up something in heaven that cannot be stolen, worn out, or destroyed. The image of 'purses that will not wear out' is a metaphor for a kind of wealth that outlasts everything earthly. Moths eating fabric and thieves stealing valuables were everyday realities in first-century life — Jesus is using those familiar fears to contrast fragile earthly security with something permanent.
Lord, loosen my grip on what I've been holding too tightly. Help me see my possessions not as security but as resources for your kingdom. Teach me to find my treasure in what actually lasts — in you, and in the people you love. Amen.
Most of us have a drawer, a closet, or a storage unit full of things we don't need anymore — but we keep them, just in case. There's a quiet comfort in surplus, a buffer against what might go wrong. Jesus steps right into that comfort and disrupts it. He doesn't say 'give generously from your overflow.' He says sell and give. The verb is active, intentional, a little alarming. What's striking is where he places the motive: not guilt, not duty, but the promise of something better. Earthly treasure has a shelf life. Moths find it. Thieves want it. Markets collapse. But generosity — real, costly generosity — builds something that outlasts all of that. Think about what you're actually holding onto and ask yourself honestly why. Not the things you use every day, but the things you've kept at arm's length from the poor because letting go felt like losing. Jesus is asking you to reframe the equation entirely. Giving isn't subtraction — it's a transfer. You're moving wealth from a place where it's exposed and temporary to a place where it's protected and permanent. That's not sacrifice dressed up in religious language. That might be the shrewdest move you ever make.
Why do you think Jesus frames this as an investment — treasure in heaven, purses that won't wear out — rather than simply calling people to be kind to the poor?
What is something you own that you've been reluctant to give away or let go of? What does that reluctance, if you're honest, tell you?
Jesus connects generosity directly with eternal security. Does thinking about giving as 'storing treasure in heaven' feel motivating to you, or does it feel transactional and uncomfortable — and why?
How does the way you handle money and possessions shape the people around you — your family, your friends, your community?
What is one concrete, specific step you could take this week to loosen your grip on something material and move it toward someone in need?
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1
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 4:34
And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need .
Acts 4:35
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:20
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matthew 6:19
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.
Matthew 19:21
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:45
"Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
AMP
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.
ESV
'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.
NASB
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
NIV
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
NKJV
“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.
NLT
"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.
MSG