θησαυρίζω (thēsaurizō)
thēsaurizō
to store up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb thēsaurizō means to gather and store up things for future use, most often referring to accumulating wealth or resources. In the New Testament, it appears eight times, primarily in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, as well as in Paul’s letters. The core idea is not merely having something, but actively collecting and hiding it away for later benefit.
Its usage reveals a sharp contrast between earthly and heavenly priorities. Jesus uses this word when warning against storing up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, urging instead to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). Similarly, Luke records the parable of the rich fool who stored up grain for himself but was not rich toward God (Luke 12:21). Paul also applies it metaphorically, describing how people store up wrath for themselves through stubbornness (Romans 2:5), showing that the act of accumulation can apply to moral consequences as well as material goods.
The word derives from thēsaurós, meaning "treasure" or "storehouse." This etymology highlights the intentional nature of the action — it is deliberate hoarding. Translators typically render it as "store up," capturing the sense of reserve and preparation. The sources note its use with both dative (for whom) and accusative (what) cases, emphasizing the personal and object-oriented aspects of accumulation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thēsaurizō describes the active process of gathering resources for future security. In the New Testament, it often carries a warning tone, highlighting how we choose to invest our lives. Jesus contrasts earthly accumulation with heavenly investment, showing that where our focus lies determines the lasting value of our efforts.
This verb appears in contexts ranging from personal wealth to divine judgment. It reminds us that hoarding for self-sufficiency can lead to spiritual poverty, while generosity aligns us with God’s kingdom. The choice is not merely about money but about trust—whether we rely on stored goods or on God’s provision.
Reflecting on this word invites a gentle reordering of priorities. It encourages us to consider what we are building for tomorrow and whether those efforts honor God. By focusing on eternal values, we find a security that endures beyond material loss.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treasuring up2×
- do store up2×
- you are treasuring up1×
- to treasure up1×
- stored up1×
- You have treasured up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θησαυρίζων2×
- θησαυρίζετε2×
- ἐθησαυρίσατε1×
- τεθησαυρισμένοι1×
- θησαυρίζεις1×
- θησαυρίζειν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:19
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
This verse establishes the primary contrast by warning against earthly accumulation where physical decay and theft are inevitable.
-
Matthew 6:20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;
Here the same verb directs attention to heavenly treasures, offering a secure alternative that transcends temporal threats.
-
Luke 12:21
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
In this parable, the word highlights the folly of self-focused hoarding that neglects spiritual richness toward God.
-
Romans 2:5
But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God,
Paul uses the term metaphorically to describe how stubbornness accumulates divine wrath rather than material wealth.