In the context the apostle speaks of those who equate worldly gain with godliness and tells Timothy that he is to withdraw himself from such. Then he shows what true gain really is---"godliness with contentment." And as for worldly gain he points out that just as we brought nothing into the world, neither will we carry anything out.
    The psalmist says, "Be not afraid when one is made rich...for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him" (Psalm 49:16-17). In death the rich man and the pauper are totally equalized so far as their material substance is concerned. No matter how great a fortune a man may amass, when he dies he leaves it all behind. He carries not one penny with him. This should certainly cause us to view our worldly possessions from a proper perspective. The most treasured idol a man ever held in his bosom had to be left behind in death.
    The rich man mentioned in Luke 12:16 who thought to store his goods and take his ease for many years, died that very night and left all his riches to others. The Lord then drove home the point that "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." How true it is that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
    Many mighty kings of ages past have had their wealth buried with them, obviously believing that this would ensure that their riches would follow them into the next life. Thieves have plundered many of these tombs. Others have been uncovered by archaeologists with the bounty intact. None of the kings carried anything out of this world with them. Their hoarded wealth did them no good beyond death.
    How wise is the instruction of Matt. 6:19 to "lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." And, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). Lord, help us to heed Thy words.