Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12:33

"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." — Luke 12:33 (ASV)

The injunction to “sell your possessions” concludes Jesus’ exhortation on the “treasure” theme. It is difficult to know whether the reason for this exhortation is to benefit the poor or to rid the disciples of encumbering possessions. The contrast point of the passage, however, seems to be the total dependence of Jesus’ disciples on God.

The word “all” is neither present nor implied before the word “possessions.” As we have seen, the point of Jesus’ teaching on treasures is that they are not to be hoarded for one’s own selfish pleasure (cf. v.21; Matthew 6:19). Nevertheless, the interpreter must be careful not to blunt Jesus’ strong teaching regarding a life of abandonment and giving (cf. 6:27–36; 14:26, 33). One should live on such a modest level of subsistence that the only “purses” needed are those one needs for heavenly “treasure.” By their nature, such purses are never moth-eaten nor stolen.