Luke 12:21
New International Version
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

New Living Translation
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

English Standard Version
So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Berean Standard Bible
This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Berean Literal Bible
So is the one treasuring up for himself, and not being rich toward God."

King James Bible
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

New King James Version
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

New American Standard Bible
Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”

NASB 1995
“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

NASB 1977
“So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Amplified Bible
So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God.”

Christian Standard Bible
“That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

American Standard Version
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Contemporary English Version
"This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God."

English Revised Version
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That's how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God."

Good News Translation
And Jesus concluded, "This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight."

International Standard Version
That's how it is with the person who stores up treasures for himself rather than with God."

Majority Standard Bible
This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.?

NET Bible
So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God."

New Heart English Bible
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Webster's Bible Translation
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

Weymouth New Testament
"So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no riches in God."

World English Bible
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
So [is] he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Berean Literal Bible
So is the one treasuring up for himself, and not being rich toward God."

Young's Literal Translation
so is he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
So he treasuring up for himself, and not rich toward God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So it is with him who stores up for himself, and is not wealthy with God.”

New American Bible
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

New Revised Standard Version
So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Such is he who lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich in the things in God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Thus is whoever lays down a treasure for himself and is not rich in God.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Godbey New Testament
So is every one laying up treasure for himself, and not rich toward God.

Haweis New Testament
Just such is every one who heapeth up treasure for self, and is not rich towards God.

Mace New Testament
such is he, who heaps up his treasure here, and makes no provision for another world.

Weymouth New Testament
"So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no riches in God."

Worrell New Testament
So is he who is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Worsley New Testament
So is he that heapeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Rich Fool
20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ 21This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” 22Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

James 5:1-3
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Proverbs 11:4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-15
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? / The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. ...

Colossians 3:1-2
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Psalm 49:16-20
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. / Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper— ...

Mark 8:36-37
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Revelation 3:17-18
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. / I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Job 31:24-28
If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, / if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much, / if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, ...


Treasury of Scripture

So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

he.

Luke 12:33
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.

Luke 6:24
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Hosea 10:1
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

rich.

Luke 16:11
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

1 Timothy 6:18,19
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; …

Jump to Previous
Amasses Eyes Gets Lays Rich Riches Stores Towards Treasure Treasuring Wealth
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Amasses Eyes Gets Lays Rich Riches Stores Towards Treasure Treasuring Wealth
Luke 12
1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.














This is how it will be for anyone
This phrase refers to the parable of the rich fool, which Jesus tells in response to a request for arbitration over an inheritance. The parable illustrates the futility of amassing wealth without regard for spiritual matters. The phrase "anyone" emphasizes the universal application of this teaching, indicating that it is not limited to the rich or a specific group but applies to all who prioritize material wealth over spiritual richness.

who stores up treasure for himself
In the cultural context of the first century, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor. However, Jesus challenges this notion by highlighting the danger of self-centered accumulation. The phrase "stores up treasure" suggests hoarding or accumulating wealth without consideration for others or for God's kingdom. This echoes the teachings found in Proverbs 11:28, which warns that those who trust in riches will fall.

but is not rich toward God.
Being "rich toward God" implies a life focused on spiritual wealth, characterized by faith, generosity, and a heart aligned with God's purposes. This contrasts with earthly riches, which are temporary and can lead to spiritual poverty. The concept is further supported by Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus advises storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The phrase calls believers to evaluate their priorities and invest in eternal values, reflecting the teachings of Jesus on the kingdom of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this parable, Jesus is teaching His disciples and the crowd about the dangers of greed and the importance of being rich toward God.

2. The Rich Fool
Although not directly mentioned in verse 21, this verse concludes the parable of the Rich Fool, who stored up earthly wealth without regard for his spiritual state.

3. The Crowd
Jesus addresses a large crowd, using the parable to teach a broader lesson about priorities and the futility of earthly wealth.

4. The Disciples
Jesus' primary audience, who are being taught about the values of the Kingdom of God.

5. The Kingdom of God
The overarching theme of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing spiritual wealth over material wealth.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Materialism
Earthly wealth can distract us from our spiritual responsibilities and relationship with God. We must guard against the temptation to prioritize material gain over spiritual growth.

True Riches
Being "rich toward God" means investing in our relationship with Him, pursuing righteousness, and valuing eternal treasures over temporary ones.

Stewardship
We are called to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, using them to further His kingdom and help others.

Eternal Perspective
Our focus should be on eternal values and the Kingdom of God, rather than the fleeting pleasures and securities of this world.

Heart Check
Regularly examine where your treasure lies, as it reveals the true condition of your heart and priorities.(21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself.--See Note on Matthew 6:19. To be "rich towards God" finds its explanation in the language, probably suggested by it, which bids us to be "rich in good works" (1Timothy 6:18).

Verse 21. - And is not rich toward God; better rendered, if he is not. And this slight change helps us, too, in drawing the right lesson. The being rich is never condemned by Jesus Christ; nor even the growing richer. Among the saints of God in both Testaments are many notable rich men, whose possessions seem to have helped rather than hindered their journey to the city of God. The lesson which lies on the forefront of this parable-story is the especial danger which riches ever bring of gradually deadening the heart and rendering it impervious to any feeling of love either for God or man. The directions which immediately followed upon this parable were addressed to the inner circle of disciples. The general instruction, it will be seen, belongs to all who in any age wish to be "of his Church;" but several of the particular charges cannot he pressed as general commands, being addressed to men whose work and office were unique.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
This is how [it will be for]
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

anyone who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

stores up treasure
θησαυρίζων (thēsaurizōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2343: To store up, treasure up, save, lay up. From thesauros; to amass or reserve.

for himself
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

is not rich
πλουτῶν (ploutōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4147: To become rich, be rich, abound in. From ploutizo; to be wealthy.

toward
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

God.”
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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