For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Summary: Once again, Paul manages to slap us upside the head with an obvious fact that puts the whole world back into perspective.
Remember the saying, “You can’t take it with you”? Well, now you know where it came from. Paul said it here first!
If we step back a pace or two and look at the context, we can better see what Paul is saying. The verse just before this one says, “…godliness with contentment is great gain.” The verse after says, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Godliness is not about the things of this world. Godliness is about being like Jesus.
Before Jesus was born a man, he lived in heaven. Do you think he packed a bag for his trip to earth?
No?
When he showed up, he was tiny, naked, and probably crying — just like every other person who has ever been born.
When he died, Jesus went the same way. The only thing he took with him was his integrity; he remained faithful to his Father from the day he was born until the day he died.
Is that enough?
Well … yes, it is. You see, Jesus came back from the dead to show us why we don’t need to worry about taking things with us. His Father, God, provides everything he needs. He didn’t leave and ascend back up to heaven wishing he could take one more fish casserole with him. He rose smiling because he knew he was going home, and he knew that he would be taking you and me with him.
Perhaps the reason Paul took the time to state the obvious was that we need to be reminded of what is important. It is not money. It is not possessions. It is not cars, or clothes, or even your health care plan or your 401K. What is important is our relationship with Jesus.
Yes, God knows that in this life we need things. Jesus said, “For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them” (Luke 12:30).
Ouch.
That hits kind of hard, doesn’t it?
The pagan world runs after such things. Hmmm… That doesn’t sound very Christian. Maybe Paul has a point.
Application: Keep our eyes on Jesus!
Food for Thought: Why does the ‘pagan world’ have such a strong influence on us?
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I thought about this question quite a bit and the answer that I landed on is that the “pagan world” offers an “individually tailored” truth-belief foundation that places self-gratification and edification at the center of life. In some ways this is hard-wired into us (such as hunger, thirst, actualization) and in others it is a result of past experience (progressive boundary breaking). I think it has an influence on us because it is something we can “see” around us, and if we are not mindful, we allow ourselves to justify our actions based on what we perceive “everyone else is doing” and “getting away with.” Also, not understanding that is what “they” are doing too. So, morality becomes “whatever the market will bear” instead of being measured against the morality that is the character of God and His goodness.
Your question leads me back, in my thoughts, to a similar question I have asked myself for a while now: “What was it about the “pagan religions” around the Isrealites that was so appealing that they turned from God.” And I know God warned the Isrealites not to intermarry with the surrounding nations, knowing that it would influence them to turn from Him. But to say that is the only reason is a bit like saying the Isrealites wagered eternity simply to please their wife. I believe it had to be more than that, and I always land on that there must have been something self-gratifying and self-edifying about those religions. And when they turned from Him, God was patient with them and gave them grace to repent, but they refused until God allowed plagues, droughts, and captivity to bring them to repentance. I imagine in my mind people looking around to “see what will happen.” Like a little kid who you have told not to touch something, and they are looking you dead in the eye and still reaching their hand out to touch it. Not believing your way is good, and following it, but rather basing obedience on the perceived level of censure. I see that same picture in my head regarding the world today.
This is probably not the only influence the “pagan world” has but it is where my mind went this morning.
Thank you, Chris!
Putting self first is indeed the root of all evil!
Why does the ‘pagan world’ have such a strong influence on us?
We are each spiritual beings confined in physical bodies since conception. We are confined on a physical world, and are taught by others of this world to live within and according to the limits established by this physical experience. The natural human being simply knows no other way.
John 16:8 states that when the Holy Spirit came, He would convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. This verse emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers and revealing truths about God’s standards and the consequences of sin.
Without our Gods help we would simply blindly follow the ways, rules of mankind, and one day pass away, simply return to the dirt.
Thank you Ron!
You are right. We need God’s light to see the way.