For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
οπου γαρ εστιν ο θησαυρος υμων εκει και η καρδια υμων εσται
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For there is no sin which almsgiving does not avail to blot out. It is a salve adapted to ever wound. But almsgiving has to do not only with money, but with all matters also wherein man succours man, as when the physician heals, and the wise man gives counsel.
For without alms it is impossible to see the kingdom. For as a fountain if it keeps its waters within itself grows foul, so also rich men when they retain every thing in their possession.
By the little flock, our Lord signifies those who are willing to become His disciples, or because in this world the Saints seem little because of their voluntary poverty, or because they are outnumbered by the multitude of Angels, who incomparably exceed all that we can boast of. The name little our Lord gives to the company of the elect, either from comparison with the greater number of the reprobate, or rather because of their devout humility.
As if He said, “Here the moth corrupts, but there is no corruption in heaven.” Then because there are some things which the moth does not corrupt, He goes on to speak of the thief. For gold the moth corrupts not, but the thief takes away.
Moreover, because all things are not taken away by theft, He adds a more excellent reason, and one which admits of no objection whatever, saying, For where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also; as if He says, “Suppose that neither moth corrupts nor thief takes away, yet this very thing, namely, to have the heart fixed in a buried treasure, and to sink to the earth a divine work, that is, the soul, how great a punishment it deserves.”
But why they ought not to fear, He shews, adding, for it is your Father’s good pleasure; as if He says, How shall He who gives such precious things be wearied in shewing mercy towards you? For although His flock is little both in nature and number and renown, yet the goodness of the Father has granted even to this little flock the lot of heavenly spirits, that is, the kingdom of heaven. Therefore that you may possess the kingdom of heaven, despise this world’s wealth. Hence it is added, Sell that ye have, &c.
Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c.
But some one will ask, upon what grounds ought we to sell that which we have? Is it that these things are by nature hurtful, or because of the temptation to our souls? To this we must answer, first, that every thing existing in the world if it were in itself evil, would be no creation of God, for every creation of God is good. (1 Tim. 4:4.) And next, that our Lord’s command teaches us not to cast away as evil what we possess, but to distribute, saying, and give alms.
But He bids us lay up our visible and earthly treasures where the power of corruption does not reach, and hence He adds, a treasure that faileth not, &c.
Now I fear lest you should think deeds of mercy to be not necessary to you, but voluntary. I also thought so, but was alarmed at the goats placed on the left hand, not because they robbed, but did not minister unto Christ among the poor.
It also states this.
For every man naturally dwells upon that which is the object of his desire, and thither he directs all his thoughts, where he supposes his whole interest to rest. If any one then has his whole mind and affections, which he calls the heart, set on things of this present life, he lives in earthly things. But if he has given his mind to heavenly things, there will his mind be; so that he seems with his body only to live with men, but with his mind to have already reached the heavenly mansion.
As if He says, Fear not lest they who warfare for the kingdom of God, should be in want of the necessaries of this life. But sell that ye have for alms’ sake, which then is done worthily, when a man having once for his Lord’s sake forsaken all that he hath, nevertheless afterwards labours with his hands that he may be able both to gain his living, and give alms.
That is, by doing alms, the reward of which abideth for ever; which must not be taken as a command that no money be kept by the saints either for their own, or the use of the poor, since we read that our Lord Himself, to whom the angels ministered, (Matt. 4:11) had a bag in which he kept the offerings of the faithful; (John 12:6.) but that God should not be obeyed for the sake of such things, and righteousness be not forsaken from fear of poverty.
Whether then should it be simply understood, that money kept faileth, but given away to our neighbour bears everlasting fruit in heaven; or, that the treasure of good works, if it be stored up for the sake of earthly advantage, is soon corrupted and perishes; but if it be laid up solely from heavenly motives, neither outwardly by the favour of men, as by the thief which steals from without, nor inwardly by vainglory, as by the moth which devours within, can it be defiled.
Now this must not only be felt concerning love of money, but all the passions. Luxurious feasts are treasures; also the sports of the gay and the desires of the lover, 12:35â40 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38. And if he shall come in the second watch, or in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39.
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Concerning charitable giving, consider the impact of treasure: when a person generously offers alms, it elevates their spirit towards the heavens, yet a tight-fisted approach confines them to the earth below. This is why Scripture reminds us: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34). Beloved, store your treasures in the heavenly realm in advance, so your divine essence is not confined to earthly matters. While gold is extracted from deep within the earth, the soul originates from above. Therefore, let your wealth contribute to the exaltation of the soul instead of allowing the soul to be entrapped in a grave of gold. This is why our Lord instructs us to tread lightly in this world, relinquishing our anxieties regarding material wealth, as He offers us the promise of His kingdom in heaven.
During a discussion with His disciples, a man approached Him, requesting assistance in dividing his inheritance with his siblings. The Lord had never claimed the authority of a secular judge, and in this instance, He did not comply with the request. Instead, He emphasized how self-interest can fracture the bonds even among brothers, criticizing the foolishness of those who pursue wealth through any means necessary. He shared the parable of the foolish rich man to illustrate His point. Transitioning from the prior dialogue with His disciples, He continued to instruct them on the futility of being overly concerned with earthly matters as followers of His teachings.
He urged them to seek the treasures of heaven and the kingdom of God, encouraging them to remain steadfast, even if the arrival of this kingdom was not immediate. To reinforce this message, He presented the parable of servants who awaited their master's return, prepared to welcome him during the late watches of the night, along with the parable of the thief who unexpectedly breaks into a house, symbolizing the suddenness of the Lord's return in judgment.
In teaching His disciples, Christ emphasizes the importance of liberation not only from greed and the pursuit of wealth, but also from earthly anxieties as a whole, as conveyed in Matthew 6: 25-33, 19-21.
"Sell your possessions, He instructed, and share with the needy. It is essential to note that this directive came right after the statement, 'Fear not, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.' This indicates that the instruction to sell belongings was specifically directed toward the Apostles, whom Christ commissioned to spread the Gospel without permitting them to carry any money or even a bag, thus indicating that this command does not serve as a universal mandate.
The purpose of human existence on this earth is to achieve everlasting joy in the kingdom of heaven. Consequently, one should focus solely on pursuits that lead to this end: unselfish love for one’s neighbors, even those who oppose you, performing acts of kindness, self-reflection, repentance, fasting, and prayer. These are the true treasures essential for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, treasures that cannot be stolen by thieves or corroded by moths and rust, unlike the temporary treasures of this life that are subject to decay and loss. Recognizing the frailty of His audience towards greed, the desire for wealth, and indulgent living, which can cloud judgment and dull the heart to the plight of others, Christ cautioned them against becoming enslaved to the transient riches of this world. He urged them to pursue only those treasures that hold eternal value in heaven, necessary for access to the kingdom of heaven. 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' When one becomes enamored with wealth and worldly pleasures, anchoring one’s heart to these fleeting things, they neglect the pursuit of imperishable treasures that unlock the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, their treasures become idols on earth, while their hearts remain captive to worldly concerns; they perceive and comprehend only the material, their hearts hardened, their eyes blinded, and their minds shrouded in darkness. To illustrate this, Christ said, 'If your eye is pure, your whole body will be light; but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark' (Matthew 6:22-23)."
Christ continued to elaborate on this idea, urging His listeners not to engage in the trivial pursuits of this world, but rather to prioritize the soul, which holds far greater significance than the physical body. The body represents the most basic aspect of humanity, akin to the lower creatures, and one need not overly focus on its needs, as nature itself provides ample resources for sustenance. Consider the crows: "they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouses nor barns, and God feeds them." Are humans not worth more than birds? The same principle applies to clothing.
"Look at the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet, even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these." If God adorns the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow cast into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, there is little reason to worry about food and clothing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." The Savior further reassured them: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." This interpretation can be found within the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Mt. 6.
"Do not be afraid, little flock." In encouraging His followers to embrace the challenging yet vital virtue of selflessness and to caution them against undue anxiety over even their essential earthly needs, the Lord reassures them with the words "do not be afraid." They should not let fear deter them from pursuing the kingdom of God and His righteousness; any sacrifices made will be rewarded manifold. "Do not be afraid—trust that God will look after you, even when you struggle to care for yourselves." The term "little flock" refers to the close circle of the Lord's disciples (the Apostles), contrasting with the vast crowds surrounding them (as noted in Luke 12:1).
The Lord often depicts Himself as a shepherd and His followers as sheep (John 10:11 and following); here He is portrayed as the shepherd of a small flock—His closest disciples. This imagery holds significant resonance, particularly in Eastern pastoral cultures like that of Palestine, where shepherding was a primary occupation. The role of a shepherd was crucial, as he guided the flock, ensured its safety, and led it to rich pastures and refreshing waters. Just as a shepherd tends to his sheep, the Lord safeguards His followers in every way and bestows upon them spiritual blessings. "Your Father has chosen to give you a kingdom"—through various struggles, you come closer to the realm of Christ, where eternal joy awaits in heaven. Alternatively, enduring these hardships can help establish God's kingdom on earth, which is the Church of Christ, enabling the preparation for everlasting happiness for yourselves and fellow believers. This represents a reward that far exceeds any trials faced. Consequently, "sell your possessions and give to those in need" serves as a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth and the realization of the kingdom promised by your Father in heaven.
On the subject of generosity, the Pharisees merged hypocrisy with extreme avarice (Luke 16:14). While outwardly portraying righteousness, they were so insatiably greedy that they exploited even the meager possessions of widows, consuming their very homes (Matthew 23:14). Jesus Christ cautioned His disciples against this dangerous desire, instructing them not to become so enamored with worldly and perishable goods that they neglect the significance of heaven and the eternal: ‘But do not hide for yourselves treasures on earth, where the worm and the corruptible corrupt, and where thieves dig and
steal; but hide for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither the worm nor the corruptible corrupts, and where the thieves neither dig nor steal.’ The treasures of heaven – virtues – are everlasting and secure, impervious to theft, and while material possessions may provide fleeting satisfaction in this life, the treasures of heaven accompany individuals into eternal life, offering unending joy. Earthly wealth causes distress when lost and inflicts harm through its proliferation, binding and enslaving the heart: ‘Where,’ the Saviour continued, ‘is your treasure, there shall your heart be also.’ The detrimental impact of being ensnared by worldly and corruptible desires on the heart—the core of spiritual existence—was illustrated by a compelling analogy: the eye serves as the lamp of the body; if your eye is clear, your entire body will be filled with light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be in darkness. If the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness? Just as the impairment of vision leaves the entire body incapable, so too does the blinding of the heart by the desire for material gain negatively affect all aspects of the soul and its activities. Another powerful illustration provided by the Lord demonstrates the inherent conflict between an obsession with transient possessions and the pursuit of heavenly treasure: no one can serve two masters; he will either love one and despise the other, or he will be devoted to one and disregard the other—you cannot serve both God and mammon. The term Mammon, signifying the deity of wealth, was synonymous with riches among the Jews (Luke 16:9); thus, servitude to Mammon equates to an overwhelming preoccupation with the accumulation and enhancement of wealth, overshadowing all other noble aspirations. ‘If we serve mammon,’ noted St. John Chrysostom, ‘we will cease to be under God’s dominion; attachment to wealth enslaves us, rendering us subservient not merely to men, but to the most debilitating passions and afflictions of the soul.’ Nevertheless, as the same Holy Father explained, the righteous use of material goods does not preclude one’s service to God. This is evidenced by the lives of Abraham, Job, and other venerated individuals who, unbound by earthly treasures, embraced them as divine blessings instead of indulgences.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS