Are refurbished iPhone sold with a contract or SIM card?

No, refurbished iPhones are not sold with a contract or a SIM card*. When you buy a refurbished iPhone, you are most likely only buying a piece of hardware without a long-term commitment or a phone number. 

If you are buying a refurbished iPhone before having a phone contract or SIM card, you may want to choose an unlocked phone to be sure that it will be compatible with any carrier.

*unless stated otherwise on the seller's website.