A purse may seem like a simple everyday object — a place to keep money, identification, and personal items. Yet, in spiritual symbolism, the purse carries deeper meaning, representing not just material wealth but one’s sense of identity, responsibility, and stewardship. In dreams, visions, and biblical reflection, a purse often speaks to what we carry within — our values, resources, and inner strength.
Throughout Scripture and spiritual teachings, possessions are rarely about objects themselves but about what they reveal concerning the state of the heart. Jesus once said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). That statement captures the spiritual essence of the purse — it symbolizes the heart’s treasure, both physical and spiritual.
Symbolism of the Purse in the Bible
The Bible uses imagery of bags, money pouches, and purses to discuss responsibility, provision, and dependence on God. While the word “purse” appears more commonly in modern translations, similar objects are mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments.
In Luke 10:4, when Jesus sent out His disciples, He said, “Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes.” This instruction wasn’t about rejecting material needs but about teaching reliance on divine provision. The disciples were to trust that God would provide everything they needed through those they served.
The purse, therefore, symbolizes trust and dependence. A full purse may represent abundance and blessing, while an empty one could symbolize a need for renewed faith in God’s supply.
Similarly, in Haggai 1:6, the prophet warned, “You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Here, the purse represents poor stewardship — a warning against living without spiritual priorities. When our spiritual “purse” is full of distractions or waste, true prosperity slips away.
Spiritual Meanings of a Purse
1. Identity and Personal Worth
A purse carries what is personal and valuable — money, documents, or keys. Spiritually, it represents one’s identity and self-worth. Losing a purse in a dream, for example, may symbolize feeling disconnected from purpose or losing spiritual direction.
Your spiritual purse is where your convictions, beliefs, and emotional security are stored. Guarding it means protecting what defines you in faith and values. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Just as one guards a purse from thieves, the heart must be protected from negative influences and fear.
2. Provision and Stewardship
The purse is also a sign of resources and stewardship. Spiritually, it asks a crucial question: how do we handle what God gives us?
In John 12:6, Judas carried the disciples’ money bag and stole from it, showing how greed can corrupt divine responsibility. In contrast, Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume, demonstrating pure devotion. These two examples reveal the spiritual tension between selfish control and faithful stewardship.
If your “purse” symbolizes your resources — time, money, talents — then how you manage them reflects your relationship with God. A well-kept spiritual purse means living in alignment with gratitude, generosity, and purpose.
3. Secrets and Hidden Matters of the Heart
Because a purse holds private belongings, it often represents what is hidden within — your secret thoughts, emotions, and spiritual condition.
Psalm 44:21 says, “Would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?” Spiritually, a purse mirrors the unseen life that only God truly understands. When you “open” your purse before Him in prayer, you allow Him to examine and heal what lies within — your worries, dreams, or wounds.
Sometimes, a purse in a dream may suggest that God is revealing something hidden — perhaps a gift, a weakness, or a spiritual assignment that has been overlooked.
4. Readiness and Preparation
The purse also symbolizes readiness. Just as a traveler carries essentials, spiritually, the believer’s purse represents preparedness for the journey of faith. In Luke 22:35–36, Jesus reminded His disciples about the earlier mission when they had lacked nothing, then told them, “Now, if you have a purse, take it.”
This shift showed that seasons change — sometimes faith means traveling light and depending on others; other times, it means being equipped and prepared. Spiritually, the purse teaches discernment between trusting God’s provision and stewarding what He provides.
5. Loss and Recovery
Dreams or revelations involving a lost purse often carry a spiritual message about misplaced priorities or lost identity. It may suggest that you’ve invested energy in the wrong things or drifted from your spiritual foundation.
However, recovering a purse symbolizes restoration — regaining confidence, direction, or divine favor. God specializes in restoration. Joel 2:25 says, “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” The spiritual purse, once recovered, becomes a testimony of resilience and grace.
6. Faith and Dependence on God
In Luke 12:33, Jesus said, “Provide yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail.” Here, He contrasts earthly wealth with heavenly treasures. The spiritual meaning is clear: our true “purse” should be filled with eternal riches — kindness, faith, compassion, and obedience.
A purse that “does not grow old” is one filled with eternal value. When faith becomes your currency, you never lack, even when the world’s resources run dry.
The Purse as a Mirror of the Soul
Every item we carry has meaning — and the purse is a mirror of the soul. It shows what we value, what we guard, and what we depend on. Spiritually, it challenges us to reflect:
- What is inside your purse — fear or faith?
- Is your purse open to God’s guidance, or closed in self-reliance?
- Are you carrying unnecessary burdens, or walking light in grace?
The purse reminds us that spiritual life is about carrying wisely — taking what strengthens faith and releasing what drains it.
Final Thoughts
The spiritual meaning of a purse extends far beyond money or possessions. It represents your heart, purpose, and spiritual capacity. Just as a purse stores what is valuable, your spirit holds everything that defines your walk with God — your dreams, discipline, compassion, and trust.
When the Bible speaks of a purse, it calls believers to examine what they are holding onto. Are you filling your life with things that fade or with treasures that last?
A well-kept spiritual purse is one filled with gratitude, guided by faith, and open to God’s will. For where your treasure is, there your heart will always be.