Sell What You have and Give Alms - Luke 12:33

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be you of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek you the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-three of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “sell that you have, and give alms” where we read:

Sell that you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts.

The verse reads, “Sell that you have, and give alms;” Luke began with the words, “sell that you have” or “be busy trading or bartering whatever goods, wealth and property the people hold, own and possess”, “and give alms” which means “and bestow, grant, supply and furnish merciful charity and donations to the poor”. Luke shared how Jesus told the people to “sell” what they owned and give the proceeds to the “poor”.

The verse continues, “provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts.” Luke added the words, “provide yourselves bags” or “produce, construct, form and fashion for the people's own selves money bags or purses” “which wax not old” which means “that do not become worn out, obsolete and decayed”, “a treasure” or “a storehouse, repository, coffer or receptacle in which valuables are kept” “in the heavens” which means “within the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “that fails not” or “that is inexhaustible and not defective”, “where no thief approaches” which means “in the place that an embezzler and pilferer does not come near or by”, “neither moth corrupts” or “no and not in any way does the clothing moth destroy or ruin”. Luke shared how Jesus exhorted the people listening to Him to “make and prepare” never ending “repositories” within the “heavens” where no “pilferer or embezzler” comes near nor do “clothing” moths “destroy and ruin” them.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus emphasized storing “treasure” that has “eternal” value rather than temporary. God gives provision to every person, and what they do with what He has given them may be kept for a short time on the earth or used for “everlasting treasure” which shall last forever. Those who are wise will yield to God's Son Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord” and look for every opportunity to “sell” and “give” what they have to help those in need.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".