Luke 12:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus warns that a real life is never measured by the size of what we own.
The Context of Luke 12:15
A man in the crowd had just asked Jesus to make his brother share an inheritance (Luke 12:13-14). Instead of settling the dispute, Jesus turns to everyone listening and goes after the deeper hunger underneath the request. He follows this verse with the parable of the rich fool.
What Does Luke 12:15 Mean?
Jesus issues a double warning, 'take heed, and beware', because covetousness is quiet and hard to catch in ourselves. It is the steady pull to believe that one more thing will finally make us secure or whole. Then He says the thing the whole world keeps forgetting: a person's life does not consist in how much they have piled up. We can possess a great deal and still not be living, because life is held somewhere money cannot reach.
Jesus speaks here as the One who knows what life truly consists of, because He is its source. He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10), and that fullness is not for sale. The treasure He offers is Himself, a richness that moth and rust cannot touch. Set free from the grip of always wanting more, we are free to receive the only thing that actually fills us.
Luke 12:15 in the Original Language
pleonexia (πλεονεξία), 'covetousness' -- a greedy craving for more, the appetite that is never satisfied by gain.
How to Apply Luke 12:15 Today
It helps to notice covetousness is a quiet thing, the small voice that says we will be secure once we have a little more. Jesus invites us to measure our lives by something money cannot buy. The fullness we are really after is found in Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 12:15
What does Luke 12:15 mean?
Jesus warns that a real life is never measured by the size of what we own.
What is the context of Luke 12:15?
A man in the crowd had just asked Jesus to make his brother share an inheritance (Luke 12:13-14). Instead of settling the dispute, Jesus turns to everyone listening and goes after the deeper hunger underneath the request. He follows this verse with the parable of the rich fool.
How can I apply Luke 12:15 today?
It helps to notice covetousness is a quiet thing, the small voice that says we will be secure once we have a little more. Jesus invites us to measure our lives by something money cannot buy. The fullness we are really after is found in Him.