King James Bible
"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."
Jesus commands radical generosity—liquidating possessions to help the poor. This echoes his consistent teaching that material wealth can hinder spiritual devotion, and that God's kingdom requires sacrificial love expressed through concrete action. The metaphor contrasts earthly money pouches that wear out with an imperishable spiritual repository. By investing in eternal matters through generosity, believers create a form of wealth storage that transcends physical decay. This heavenly treasure is permanent and secure, unlike earthly riches. Jesus emphasizes that acts of mercy and generosity accumulate lasting value in God's economy, where true wealth is measured by faithfulness rather than accumulation. Drawing from common first-century concerns about theft and fabric-destroying moths, Jesus highlights heaven's absolute security. This vivid imagery reinforces that only spiritual investments are truly protected from all forms of loss or deterioration.