Is Your Self-Worth Defined by Your Net-Worth? A Revolutionary Model for True Value
In a world that celebrates financial success, it’s common to equate self-worth with net-worth. When someone’s fortune flourishes or falters, it’s easy to feel that their value follows suit. This mindset is so ingrained that, for many, a change in financial circumstances can trigger deep emotional upheaval or even despair. But what if there is a richer, more enduring source of value for every person—one that no economic crash, lost job, or number on a statement could ever erode?
The Modern Dilemma: Measuring Value by Money
From ancient philosophers to modern economists, history is filled with attempts to decode the true meaning of wealth. While Aristotle, Calvin, Adam Smith, and Karl Marx each contributed their theories, our current global society is often still stuck in a mindset that links personal value with possessions and achievements. It’s not uncommon that introductions begin with job titles or bank accounts rather than something deeper.
A Real-Life Reflection: Imagine meeting someone new at a gathering. The question, “What do you do?” is quickly followed by silent judgments based on the answer. This dynamic frequently overlooks a person’s inner qualities, focusing instead on the external markers of status… and in doing so, perpetuates a sense of inadequacy in those who measure their worth by fleeting success.
A Torah-Based Model for Human Value
Jewish wisdom introduces a paradigm-shifting alternative: our true worth is inherent, stemming from our unique soul and divine purpose. Torah thought teaches that every individual possesses an irreplaceable value, independent of material accumulation. This approach emphasizes being over having, who you are over what you own.
Rabbi Simon Jacobson often emphasizes that “people who have that inner self-love and awareness of their inherent value are not defined by their acquisitions; neither poverty will destroy them nor wealth corrupt them.” This is a model for resilience and confidence that transcends the ups and downs of financial fortune.
Practical Steps to Embrace a New Definition of Worth
- Reflect on Your True Identity: Take a few minutes daily to ask yourself: Who am I without my titles or assets? Consider journaling qualities and contributions that define you beyond your career or financial standing.
- Reframe Conversations: Next time you meet someone, start with questions about their passions, dreams, or what makes them feel alive. Notice how the conversation—and your connection—changes.
- Set Inner Goals: Create personal goals around character, kindness, or learning instead of just material or achievement-based targets. Celebrate progress in these areas as sincerely as you would a promotion or raise.
- Practice Giving: Engage in acts of charity, volunteerism, or sharing knowledge. As teaching in Ayin Beis explains, when you give of yourself, you access the part of you that is limitless and deeply valuable.
- Limit Comparisons: If you find yourself comparing your life to others’ external successes, pause and redirect focus to your unique qualities and personal journey.
Integrating these steps into everyday life helps build a more stable sense of confidence and belonging—a sense not shaken by life’s inevitable ups and downs.
The Universal Wisdom of a Spiritual Economy
This model is not limited to any one tradition. By recognizing and honoring the inherent value in ourselves and others, we help sculpt a society where dignity isn’t bought or lost but lived and celebrated daily. Adopting this approach can inspire greater wellbeing in families, workplaces, and communities everywhere.
Begin today: reclaim your self-worth from numbers and nurture it from within. For in this model, your value is infinite—no matter what appears on your bank statement.
Explore deeper perspectives and practical wisdom in Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s full class on this topic: Watch Here.
