Step #3 Understand that Possessing Money and Wealth has Nothing to Do with Self-Worth

How much money and wealth you possess do not defined your value as a person. Neither does you income level.

Money, wealth and income do not make you more important or deserving.

Financial freedom lecturer, Joe Dominguez points out that there are people who do vital and meaningful work and are significantly underpaid (i.e. teachers), while others make huge sums of money for work, that in the long run won’t make a difference in anyone’s life.

Don’t fall into the trap of measuring your own or anyone else’s self worth by income level, position, or wealth.

The Dangerous Change in the Role of Money and Wealth …

Shift from assigning economic value to assessing individual self-worth
Provides emotional security
Attempts to meet essentially Psychological and Spiritual needs
Materialism has grown to symbolize key drivers in our emotional lives
- Conquest
- Status
- Success
- Achievement
- Self-worth
- Favor in others’ eyes
Advertising’s foundation preys on the epidemic of low self esteem!
- Marketing industry born in 1923 … on "selling hope"
- Desire to keep up with the Jones
- Pathological buying rooted in shaky self-images
Shopping often becomes an escape from reality and an exercise in power
Fleeing to the mall when things get out of control at home or work
The pursuit of wealth has replaced traditional sources of emotional support
- Family … neighborhood … civic affairs … church … and even mates
- More and more jobs tend to focus on the benefits of materialism, power, position and the ownership of things as a measure of success
The culture of Materialism is dangerous to the very relationships which provide our self-worth

By What Do We Measure People’s Worth?

Author Laurie Beth Jones makes this thought provoking point...

"When we measure men in terms of their money, and women in terms of their looks, we have a long way to go in creating a sense of values for our children."

Do we really want to live by a value system like that?

What unit of measure do you use for yourself and others?

Post this to the bathroom mirror!

Our culture of materialism will try and convince you that your self worth is directly tied to your money and wealth … don’t believe it!

So, what do we do now?

Discuss with two or three close friends the reasons why you are important to each other.

Take 10 minutes to list the specific reasons why you are attracted to others who are close to you.

How many relate to money or wealth?

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