Luke 12 34

Luke 12:34 kjv

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:34 nkjv

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34 niv

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34 esv

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:34 nlt

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 34 Meaning

Luke 12:34 reveals a fundamental truth about human devotion and priorities. It states that whatever an individual values and invests in most deeply, whether it be material wealth, reputation, power, or spiritual matters, their deepest affections, thoughts, and will—their "heart"—will inevitably follow. The verse serves as a profound call to examine one's true treasures, urging believers to orient their desires and lives toward eternal rather than temporal gains, as true security and satisfaction are found not in accumulating earthly things, but in seeking God's Kingdom.

Luke 12 34 Context

Luke 12:34 is embedded within a broader discourse of Jesus on discipleship, priorities, and preparation for His return. The chapter begins with warnings against hypocrisy (vv. 1-12) and then transitions to a warning against covetousness, illustrated by the parable of the rich fool (vv. 13-21). This parable directly leads into Jesus' teaching on not being anxious about material possessions but seeking God's Kingdom first (vv. 22-32). Immediately preceding verse 34, Jesus commands His disciples to "sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys" (Lk 12:33). Verse 34 serves as the logical explanation and powerful principle underlying the call to invest in heavenly treasures: the heart naturally aligns itself with where one's ultimate value and investment lie. This teaching contrasts the ephemeral nature of earthly riches with the eternal security of God's provision and heavenly reward, urging the listener to a reordering of their priorities away from the prevailing materialistic pursuits of the age.

Luke 12 34 Word analysis

• For: (γάρ - gar) A causal conjunction. It explains the reason for the command in the preceding verse (Luke 12:33) to lay up treasure in heaven. It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship or a foundational principle.
• where: (ὅπου - hopou) Denotes place, but in this context, it signifies the location or nature of one's primary investment or ultimate devotion. It is about where one’s true worth is placed.
• your treasure: (ὁ θησαυρός ὑμῶν - ho thēsauros hymōn)
  • treasure: (θησαυρός - thēsauros) This Greek term refers to a place for safekeeping valuables, a treasury, a storehouse, or the valuable things themselves, whether physical wealth (money, jewels, grain) or any cherished possession or object of value. In the broader Biblical context, it extends beyond mere material possessions to include anything one values above all else, like reputation, power, accomplishments, or even comfort. It implies something highly valued, pursued, and stored up.
  • your: (ὑμῶν - hymōn) Indicates a personal and individual assessment of what one considers valuable. Each person has their own "treasure."
• is: (ἐστίν - estin) Simple present tense of "to be." It indicates a current, existing reality or fact.
• there: (ἐκεῖ - ekei) Correlates with "where," signifying the consequence or destination of the heart's alignment.
• will your heart: (ἔσται ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν - estai hē kardia hymōn)
  • will be: (ἔσται - estai) Future tense of "to be." It emphasizes the certain and inevitable outcome. It's a statement of absolute truth: if you value something, your heart will follow.
  • heart: (καρδία - kardia) In Greek thought, and particularly in the biblical sense (derived from Hebrew concepts), the "heart" is far more than just the physical organ. It is the core of one's being: the seat of emotions, will, intellect, desires, moral decisions, and spiritual life. It represents one's deepest inner self, where motivations and true character reside.
• be also: (καὶ - kai) Functions as "also" or "even," adding emphasis to the direct and inseparable connection between the treasure and the heart.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For where your treasure is": This phrase highlights the object of one's supreme value and devotion. It implicitly challenges the listener to identify what truly captures their deepest affections and efforts. It implies an existing condition or choice being made about one's ultimate priority.
• "there will your heart be also": This consequence reveals the unbreakable link between one's treasure and one's innermost being. The "heart" is not merely an emotional attachment but the totality of one's life force—thoughts, desires, allegiances, and will. The future tense "will be" stresses the inevitability of this spiritual and psychological alignment. This isn't merely a preference; it's a fixed spiritual law: your ultimate devotion follows your investment. This dynamic reveals that the heart gravitates towards what it holds precious, aligning one's internal compass with one's chosen "treasure."

Luke 12 34 Bonus section

This verse establishes a causative link: the location of one's treasure determines the orientation of one's heart. It's not "your heart desires treasure, therefore you pursue it," but rather, "you define and invest in a treasure, and your heart will align with it." This perspective highlights human agency in choosing where to place value, yet underscores the inevitable spiritual consequence of that choice. It challenges the modern consumeristic mindset which often encourages perpetual acquisition without acknowledging the spiritual cost of misdirected affections. Furthermore, this principle transcends economic status; whether one has little or much, the "treasure" can still be an earthly attachment if it replaces God as the ultimate priority. The verse serves as a crucial criterion for spiritual self-assessment, urging every believer to identify their primary pursuits and adjust them if they are not fixed on eternal realities.

Luke 12 34 Commentary

Luke 12:34 is a succinct yet profound spiritual law, offering insight into the core of human motivation and devotion. Jesus declares that where a person places their greatest value and expends their primary effort (their "treasure"), their deepest affections, intentions, and entire inner being (their "heart") will inevitably follow. This is not just a psychological observation but a spiritual reality. The "treasure" encompasses far more than money; it can be anything a person pursues or secures for ultimate satisfaction – security, comfort, power, fame, possessions, or even knowledge. The "heart" is the spiritual and moral epicenter of a person.

The verse is an urgent call for introspection, compelling individuals to evaluate what truly governs their lives. If one's treasure is earthly, temporal things, then their heart will be tethered to what is perishable and subject to decay. This leads to anxiety, covetousness, and spiritual barrenness, as highlighted earlier in Luke 12. Conversely, if one's treasure is heavenly – that is, in God, His kingdom, and His righteousness – then their heart will be eternally secure, joyful, and focused on divine purposes. This understanding underlies Jesus' prior command in Luke 12:33 to lay up "treasure in heaven" through acts of charity and reliance on God. The heart does not lead the treasure; rather, the treasure dictates where the heart will be. Therefore, a deliberate choice to reorient one's investments and affections toward eternal matters is a prerequisite for genuine spiritual transformation. It is a powerful reminder that our priorities reveal our true allegiance.

Examples:

• A person who consistently spends their extra money and free time accumulating luxury goods often finds their thoughts dominated by materialism and a desire for more.
• One who dedicates their resources to serving the poor and building up God's kingdom will often discover a deep love and passion for those pursuits growing within them.