Your net worth is not your self-worth. It sounds simple, yet millions of us wake up every day tying our entire identity to a number on a paycheck. We treat our bank accounts like a report card on our value. Today, I want to challenge that. True value cannot be deposited, withdrawn, or taxed. It is built from who you are, not what you earn.
That’s a bold proclamation, I know. If you’re like me and millions of others, this is the norm in thinking and has been for decades. We want more. More money, time, vacations, home decor, new furniture, new clothes, a new bigger, better home, car, and so on. Our homes are busting at the seams with stuff we accumulate, thinking we need it to fit in or stand out. Marketing companies are very clever in how they use certain words and phrases to trigger a psychological fear of missing out. Funny thing, it works so well, and they know it; even worse, most consumers are completely oblivious to what they’re doing.
True worth isn’t found in what we own, achieve, or how others view us - it’s found in who we are in Christ. The bible tells us to build our house on the rock.
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."
Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)
True faith requires obedience, not just passive listening. In context, Jesus warns that many people will call him Lord, but do not do what God commands. Think of it like going through the motions of being a follower of Christ. You might go through the motions of church Sunday morning but never open your Bible the rest of the week or spend time in prayer. Jesus highlights in verses 24-25 that listening to His words isn’t enough. The wise man is the one who puts these teachings into practice. Building on the rock essentially means anchoring your life, values, and choices onto Jesus’ commands, such as love, forgiveness, and integrity. This is such a powerful lesson, showing us that we can survive life’s storms by closing the gap between what we say and believe and how we actually live.
Are you a Sunday morning Christian? Going through the motions, but not really spending time reading the bible, praying, or attending church. When we spend time with fellow Christians, it helps us to stay grounded in the word. Daily Bible reading and spending time in prayer give us direct contact with God through Jesus, help us remain firm in our faith, and allow us to build on the rock. A firm foundation is vital to building a home; otherwise, when storms come, the home will be destroyed. Likewise, when our life is built on a firm foundation, we are anchored in Jesus and can survive life’s storms.
If this sounds like you, that’s okay; we all have to start somewhere. Today, try spending 10 minutes reading the Bible. Don’t know where to start? Try 1 John, Philippians, Ephesians, or the Gospels: the first 4 books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Before you start reading, pray and ask God to open your eyes, reveal things you never thought about before, and show you His truth as you’re reading. Start asking God to help you carve out time for this daily reading and prayer with Him.
Have you ever gone into a store, bought something, then when you left, regretted it and wanted to return it? Buyer’s remorse. I’ve been there too! By investing your first few minutes with God, you begin replacing the empty promises of shopping with God’s truth in Scripture. You slowly stop looking at retail shelves for fulfillment and start looking at the cross and your identity in Christ. I’m not saying it is wrong to have wealth, a nice home, nice things, dress for success, or put your best foot forward. God gives to us abundantly and provides us with earthly blessings. When we value those earthly blessings over HIM, we get into a pickle. True wealth requires a daily shift in what you value most. Measure your success by obedience, not your income. Prioritize integrity over items. Remind yourself that you are already complete in Christ. Your earthly wealth will eventually fade: clothes, shoes, gadgets, and your money and home will eventually become someone else’s. But a character forged in daily obedience to Christ is an investment that pays eternally. Stop letting clever ads dictate what you are worth. Build your life securely on the Rock. You are infinitely valuable—not because of what you own, but because of Who you belong to. JESUS! What a wonderful Savior we have! Let your character reflect Christ, not your bank account.