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"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."
1Timothy 6: 7-8
When we came into this world, we brought nothing
with us, but entered empty handed. When we exit and depart this life, we will leave with nothing that can be of value to us in death
or the hereafter. All the riches one may acquire cannot be carried with them on the day of their departure.
Alexander the Great was a great king who conquered Persia,
Egypt, and Greece. In his day, he was considered as the
"Conqueror of the world." But, the day came when he became ill and knew that he was soon to face his appointment with
death. He knew that his great army and great sword were of no use to him at that time.
History tells us that Alexander the Great had three final wishes.
His first wish was that his Physician was to carry his coffin home, alone, to show that even a Physician cannot cure everything,
once death is near, and for people not to take life for granted.
His second wish was to have jewels, gold, silver, and wetitleh, scattered along the path where his coffin would be carried to its burial place.
The silver, gold, and jewels were to be taken from his treasure house. This was to remind people not to be like him, as he had spent his whole life pursing wealth, but was wasting most of his time.
It is like this with people today also. Many climb the ladder of success only to find when they reach they top, that they have
had their ladder on the wrong side. The love of money is the root of all evil.
When a person died in the days of Alexander the Great, it was a custom for their hands to be wrapped or covered inside their coffin
so that no one could see them.
However, before Alexander the Great died, his third wish and request was that his hands were to remain unwrapped.
When his Generals asked him why, he told them, "I want everyone to see that my hands are empty."
Alexander's third wish was carried out, and his hands were
not covered, but were to be placed outside of his coffin, to show that he carried nothing with him and left this world with empty
hands, just as he had come into the world.
It is said that when he explained these three wishes, and the reasons for them, he closed his eyes and drew his last breath.
Paul the Apostle wrote a letter to Timothy and also told him that we didn't bring anything with us when we came into this
world, and we certainly can't take anything with us when we die. If we judge by the way some live, we would see this isn't a guide for
living for all people in this age.
We are to be content with what God has given and blessed us with and not be tempted or trapped by foolish desires that can bring one
ruin or destruction.
May our prayer be to have a desire for that which matters most in life.
Seeking the Kingdom of God first is what matters, and God
will supply what we need according to His riches in glory.
A special thanks to our Sister-In-Christ Jo Ann Kelly
for the use of her poetry © 2010. You may email
to thank her.
God bless you my
Sister-In-Christ.
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All here on earth is hay and stubble, it
will burn up. Where are your treasures laid up my friend? Don't know? Attend a
New Testament Bible believing and preaching church, preferably a Independent or
Southern Baptist Church.
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