In biblical times, money-bags were essential items used for carrying coins and other forms of currency. These bags are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, serving both practical and symbolic purposes.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not frequently mention money-bags explicitly, the concept of carrying money in bags or pouches is implied in various narratives. For instance, in Genesis 42:35, when Joseph's brothers returned from Egypt, they discovered their money in their sacks: "As they emptied their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver!" This incident highlights the use of bags for carrying money during travel and trade.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, money-bags are more explicitly referenced, often in the context of Jesus' teachings and the activities of His disciples. In Luke 10:4, Jesus instructs the seventy-two disciples, "Carry no purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone along the road." Here, the money-bag symbolizes reliance on God's provision rather than material wealth.

The money-bag also appears in the context of Judas Iscariot, who served as the treasurer for Jesus and the disciples. John 12:6 notes, "He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." This passage illustrates the potential for corruption and misuse of entrusted resources.

Symbolic Meaning

Money-bags in the Bible often symbolize trust, stewardship, and the potential pitfalls of wealth. In Luke 12:33, Jesus advises, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with money-bags that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." This teaching emphasizes the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of investing in eternal treasures.

Practical Implications

The use of money-bags in biblical times reflects the economic practices of the era, where coins were the primary medium of exchange. Money-bags were necessary for daily transactions, travel, and trade. They also served as a metaphor for one's spiritual priorities and the management of God's resources.

Conclusion

Money-bags in the Bible serve as a reminder of the importance of stewardship, the dangers of greed, and the call to trust in God's provision. They are a tangible representation of the broader biblical themes of wealth, responsibility, and faith.

God and Mammon.
... God and money; and therefore, when Jesus saw him sitting at the receipt of custom,
and bade him "Follow Me," he rose up, and left his money-bags, and followed ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxvi god and mammon.htm

Due Measure must be Observed in Liberality, that it May not be ...
... of these; in the one case because he wastes the fruits of another's labours by
unnecessary payments, on the other hand because he hoards them in his money bags ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi due measure must.htm

John Chapter xi. 55-57; xii
... who was a thief, yea"do not overlook it"not a thief of any ordinary type, but a
thief and a sacrilegist: a robber of money bags, but of such as were the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate l john chapter xi.htm

Chapter xvii.
... example, that no one might afterwards be scandalized when he observed any of His
servants procuring such necessaries, condescended to have money bags, out of ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii 2.htm

Wary Walking.
... He is like one escaping from a shipwreck, who tries to swim ashore with all
his money bags, and is sunk to the bottom by their weight. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lv wary walking.htm

Walking with God.
... One man has grown near-sighted by gazing day after day at his money bags, till he
can see nothing else; and another has studied his ledger and cash book till ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlix walking with god.htm

Hearts and Treasures
... in this frail bark, and the shipwreck is total.' I have heard of a man that might
have been saved from a foundering ship, but he lashed his money-bags round him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/hearts and treasures.htm

Psalm CXL.
... of God, let him say, "Lord, Lord." Thou Lord-Lord, that is, most truly Lord, not
like unto the lords-men, not like the lords who buy with money-bags, but the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

A Drama in Five Acts
... concerns. Here feast your eyes, ye hard, practical, earth-scrapers. There
are his money-bags; hear how they thump on the table! There ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a drama in five acts.htm

The Blood-Shedding
... It says "Put up your money-bags, they will not procure you remission; roll up your
diploma, that will not get you remission; forget your farm and your park ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the blood-shedding.htm

Money-bags (1 Occurrence)
Money-bags. Money-bag, Money-bags. Money-box . Multi-Version
Concordance Money-bags (1 Occurrence). Luke 12:33 Give ...
/m/money-bags.htm - 6k

Thieves (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/t/thieves.htm - 14k

Exchange (41 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/e/exchange.htm - 20k

Money-bag (5 Occurrences)
Money-bag. Money, Money-bag. Money-bags . Multi-Version Concordance Money-bag
(5 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Money, Money-bag. Money-bags . Reference Bible.
/m/money-bag.htm - 7k

Money-box (3 Occurrences)
Money-box. Money-bags, Money-box. Moneychanger . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Money-bags, Money-box. Moneychanger . Reference Bible.
/m/money-box.htm - 7k

Stored (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/s/stored.htm - 23k

Property (212 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/p/property.htm - 37k

Destruction (734 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/d/destruction.htm - 39k

Charity (29 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/c/charity.htm - 23k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money
to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

What should parents tell their children about Santa Claus? | GotQuestions.org

Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? | GotQuestions.org

What is miracle money, and is it biblical to seek it? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus