My Worth Is Not in What I Own
My worth is not in what I own
The hymn articulates Lutheran understanding that Christian identity rests in grace received through Christ, not in worldly possessions or personal achievement. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on faith as the sole foundation of human worth.
History & Background
Written by Kristian Stanfill in 2014, this contemporary hymn addresses materialism and Christian identity. It was published in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW 748) and Christian Worship 21st Century (753), reflecting modern Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 748
- Voices Together — 627
Bulletin Note
Written in 2014 by Kristian Stanfill, this hymn retrieves Reformation faith for a consumerist age, echoing Luther's insistence that Christian identity springs from grace alone, received in Word and Sacrament, never from human works or worldly gain.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Gospel's answer to the Law's accusation—it names the world's false promises of worth before proclaiming that only Christ's redemption and God's grace can satisfy the human hunger for acceptance and identity.
Themes
Christian identity in Christ Freedom from materialism God's grace over works True wealth in faith Stewardship