Worth Misassociated
How many times have we heard people say of famous or rich people, “What is their net worth?” or that they are “worth” a certain dollar amount as a way to measure that person’s importance? These statements or questions give value to the person based on money, not actual self-worth. How has society come from being created by the Beloved who loves us unconditionally, to accepting money as a measure of people’s value? This only leads to discrimination.
True Worth Can’t Be Earned
The issue here is perspective. One person thinks the other is better off than they because of the money accumulated. All of this is based on what we see or hear. But is it true? We’ve all heard of the financially rich person who seems to have it all but has a downward spiral. They could be losing their money, owing more money than they have or facing a tragic event in their life. We’ve also heard about the financially poor person who is content. You see, the terms rich and poor are so subjective. How you define rich and poor may be different than how I define those terms. It’s perspective. We all bleed the same blood. We ALL have value and that value should never, ever be defined in financial terms. It is GOD who gives all of us value as one of our pastors says.
Contentment Is Present When You Know Your Worth
Paul in Phillippians 4:12 (King James Version, Bible) says, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” The New International Version (NIV) states, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” The key point in this scripture is contentment – not settling, but being at rest in the season you are in.
As we mentioned in a previous blog post, I left my corporate job to take some time off and work on other passions like working with children and our business. During this season, I’m learning to be content and not eager to go hop off to the next financial opportunity. I am taking this time to rest. A paycheck may be gone, but my value is not in that. I learned this early in my career when I graduated college with a below college-graduate-income job. Who knew that I would meet Jason through that very job opportunity. Be content and trust God.
Our Challenge To You
Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t make strides to move forward economically. Don’t get me wrong – money is important and is in the Bible. Money helps build a legacy that can have direct educational, financial and emotional impacts on you, your family and future generations. Just don’t be the money chaser without knowing that your true value is in Jesus.
Remember, “…The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1 NLT). You are RICH in God’s eyes and He loves you in whatever state you’re in.