Tag: Heaven

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1 Timothy 6:8 – Packing for Heaven

Two old leather suitcases are packed for a trip. (Grok)

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Summary: Contentment is one of those ‘beautiful intangibles’ that make life wonderful if we have it.   

Paul was actually a much richer man than he makes out. Timothy, too. When he says, “if we have food and clothing, we will be content,” he is talking about what the world sees and values. 

But what about the things that God values? 

James writes:

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)

It is hard for us to wrap our heads around the riches James is talking about — the kind that Paul is already rich in.

What does it mean to be “rich” anyway? Why do we care? 

The reason we like the idea of being rich is that the world sees material wealth as a kind of security blanket. Money maybe can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of things, and for some people that is how they measure feeling good about themselves. 

Another reason people like money is that it can buy security. Financial security is not having to worry about paying the bills or being able to afford the nice things in life. Ironically, the opposite of faith is worry. People who don’t have faith want money because it helps fend off worry. 

Peter understands this, too. He writes that we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). Wealth beyond measure! Not material wealth that can be eaten by moths or rats, or stolen by a thief (Matthew 6:20), but wealth that makes you feel like a million bucks. 

Which brings us to an important question: “Where is your heart?” 

Jesus makes an interesting point when he says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). 

It would be horrible if you made it all the way to heaven and discovered you had left your heart behind!

Application: Do a heart check – make certain you know where it is.  

Food for Thought: How can we protect ourselves from falling victim to the love of ‘things’?

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1 Timothy 6:7 – A Knock on the Noggin’

Cartoon of a man slapping his forehead and saying, "Doh!" (Grok)

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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1 Timothy 4:8 – The Life to Come

A man works out with two angels watching. (Grok)

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 

Summary: Does godliness have a value? It turns out that it does.   

Perhaps you have heard it said that this is a “dog eat dog” world? 

As gruesome as that saying is, the reality of a world without Christ is much worse. When it comes to “getting your way” in the world, the shortest distance between you and what you want is probably at the end of a good, stout club. 

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1 Timothy 1:16c – The Way Home

Picture of St. Paul standing by the side of the road with a sign that says "This Way Home." (Grok)

…and receive eternal life.

Summary: Taking a closer look at Paul’s words, we take a moment to review what it means to have eternal life.   

Jesus called Paul to be an Apostle — one who is “sent” to teach others about the kingdom of God. We might not ever be called to appear before a king in this life, but we will in the next, and we need to understand what is involved so that we can be prepared. 

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Philippians 3:20a – Our Heavenly Passport

Picture of a red passport with a cross on the front (Grok)

But our citizenship is in heaven. 

Summary: The idea of citizenship in heaven is a provocative peek into our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Citizenship is something many of us take for granted. Growing up, I never worried about carrying citizenship papers until I traveled overseas. Before traveling outside the country, I needed to get a passport. Getting a passport required proving that I was a citizen. 

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Philippians 3:13c-14 – The Prize

St Paul crosses the finish line in a footrace dragging his chains behind him (Grok)

… and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Summary: Life is not a game, but sometimes thinking in terms of a contest helps us visualize what is at stake in life.   

What kind of prize motivates you? 

Is it a trophy? 

Are you excited by the thought of having your picture and name in the paper? 

Do you work extra hard if the prize is money? 

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Philippians 3:10a – Life & Death

a picture of a wilderness scene at sunset. In the center of the image stands a doorframe by itself. The door is open and a bright white light beams out through the doorframe into the twilight. (Grok)

 I want to know Christ—

Summary: Paul has been talking about his relationship with Jesus. In this passage, he looks forward to something most people fear.   

These five words, “I want to know Christ —,“ are a stunning statement coming from a man who has actually MET the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 9). He was personally chosen by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15). Paul received his Gospel by direct revelation from Christ (Titus 1:3). Paul knows Christ rather well. 

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