The first thing that comes to mind when people think about what someone is really worth is money. But as cliched as it may sound, is money really everything?
Sadly, many people would answer the question above with a resounding yes. It’s the only thing they know. They know that money is everything and without it they cannot live or be happy and free in this world. To a great extent this is indeed fact, but it still does not necessarily determine someone’s worth.
Some sources claim that the undermentioned words were part of the last that Steve Jobs said before he died:
What Steve Jobs said?
“In other eyes, my life is the essence of success, but aside from work, I have a little joy. And in the end, wealth is just a fact of life to which I am accustomed.”
“At this moment, lying on the bed, sick and remembering all my life, I realize that all my recognition and wealth that I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive a car for you, make money for you – but you cannot rent someone to carry the disease for you. One can find material things, but there is one thing that cannot be found when it is lost – “LIFE”.
Treat yourself well, and cherish others. As we get older we are smarter, and we slowly realize that the watch is worth $30 or $300 – both of which show the same time. Whether we carry a purse worth $30 or $300 – the amount of money in the wallets are the same. Whether we drive a car worth $150,000, or a car worth $30,000 – the road and distance are the same, we reach the same destination. If we drink a bottle worth $300 or wine worth $10 – the “stroller” will be the same. If the house we live in is 300 square meters, or 3000 square meters – the loneliness is the same.”
It does not matter whether or not the above words were wrongly credited because the underlying message is right. Money may indeed get you through life but it may be worth much less on your way out. When you look at things this way you begin to see that money may not be the best way to determine how much you are worth at any point.
What the Bible says
A lot of what is commonly valued are material things, which immediately brings to mind a popular saying from the Bible. Matthew 6:19-24 says, “19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
How true worth reveals itself
The beauty of the above is that you don’t have to be religious to appreciate the value of the words. However, they can easily cause you to think about which things in life may have actual worth. Interestingly, the answer to this is likely subjective so the only assurance I can give is from my perspective.
There are many things in this life that have made me happy and also a few that made me sad. But the things I’ve always based my worth on are those that have consistently allowed me to help improve the lives of others. And I am a strong believer of helping improving others without mention of financial worth. While I know my worth, my value comes from my service to others and not from how I view myself. In my opinion, that’s how you determine your actual worth. The ability to make others feel relaxed; the ability to bring people together; and the ability to bring light into a room are just some of the things that I am consistently praised for. But are these truly worth more than money? In my opinion, yes.
Living for more than money
Money truly serves a purpose but money does not have any emotions attached to it. It is just an object to be used by people who have actual worth. Money may have power but when money is spent the power goes along with it. When you spend your time helping improve the lives of others you also increase their worth. And they will then go on to increase the worth of others if you encouraged them properly. Doing this may not make you rich but it can surely make the world worthier. And the best part is that lots of people will be more mindfully powerful long after you’re gone.
Living life as an active humanitarian may not be the best way for everyone. But if people are truly honest with themselves they would consider that living like this can still be better than just living to make more money. Sure you may be worth something today by having more money—and you may even have money tomorrow too. But if you believe that you cannot be worth anything without having money then you may already be too far gone. But something amazing happens when you learn how to consistently share your worth with the rest of the world. One day you just wake up and realize you may never again have to concern yourself with how much you’re actually worth.
