1 Timothy 6:6-8, But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
A newborn baby cries. Mom and Dad cry. The nurse cleans and swaddles the baby, who left the warmth and safety of the womb to experience the first shock of cold air on his naked skin. The baby enters the world weak and vulnerable. Someone quickly gives the boy a blanket, then maybe a cap to keep his head warm. Soon thereafter, he is given a name. Mom and Dad have a stockpile of necessities to give him when they take him home. A bed, a house, clothes, and blankets. Just a month or so before, friends and family had a baby shower to make sure the baby would have sufficient items to get started. The baby comes into this life empty-handed.
Junior grows and begins to acquire possessions. He gets clothes, and toys. He gets older and gets pocket knives and BB guns. He gets older still and then comes his first car and his first job. His first house with his first (hopefully only) wife. He gets a garage to store the stuff on the land he has acquired. He gets his retirement. He gets bad news at the doctor. He gets sick. He dies. He leaves this world and leaves all his stuff behind.
It is one of life’s few certainties. You bring nothing in this world and you can’t take a bit of it with you when you leave. It’s a somber thought. So much of life is buying and trading, gaining and keeping. Working to keep up what you have, taking care of what Grace and Providence has provided and when it’s over, you leave it all for someone else. In our text, Paul is not anti-possessions or advocating a life of poverty. He wants you to consider your life. What is most important to you? What do you value? What do you live and long for?
When the baby is born, he is cold and hungry. Mother takes him in her arms, wraps him up tight and feeds him. The baby eats, snuggles close and falls asleep – content. Having all that he wants, the infant rests well. Paul tells us that we should have that outlook. Are we clothed and fed? Let’s rest in God’s care and be content with what He has provided. Life is more comfortable with modern conveniences. I’m thankful for air conditioning, insulated walls, microwaves and all the hundreds of little things we have that makes life enjoyable and comfortable. It would be sad to spend our whole life chasing after comforts, conveniences, and toys only to leave this world and enter into eternal pain and misery. Be childlike in your faith and be content with what God has given you. Have your treasure in Heaven where no one will be empty-handed.
