John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 6:7

"for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;" — 1 Timothy 6:7 (ASV)

For we brought nothing into the world. He adds this for the purpose of setting a limit to the sufficiency.

Our covetousness is an insatiable gulf if it is not restrained, and the best bridle is when we desire nothing more than what the necessity of this life demands. For the reason we transgress the bounds is that our anxiety extends to a thousand lives which we falsely imagine.

Nothing is more common, and indeed nothing is more generally acknowledged, than this statement of Paul. But as soon as all have acknowledged it (as we see every day with our eyes), every man swallows up his vast possessions with his wishes, just as if he had a belly able to contain half the world. And this is what is said:

Although the folly of the fathers appears in hoping that they will dwell here forever, nevertheless their posterity approve of their way (Psalms 49:13).

Therefore, so that we may be satisfied with sufficiency, let us learn to have our heart so regulated as to desire nothing but what is necessary for supporting life.