Your Life Is Worth More Than Money & Things You Own

Your Life Is Worth More Than Money & Things You Own

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

What’s the most important thing in your life aside from money, possessions, and power? Think about it for a second. Strip away all the things you own, the job titles, the cars, the houses what’s left? What truly holds value in your heart? Our physical bodies are bound to this world, subject to time, which is merely a child of eternity. Unlike our physical forms and everything we accumulate in this temporary existence, our spirits belong to eternity, just like our Creator. That’s why, on an eternal scale, our lives hold far more value than any amount of money, any luxury, or any material possession. We can’t really pass the test of the Creator of life and eternity until our happiness isn’t chained to wealth or material things. There’s a reason the most enlightened souls, the ones who have left the deepest impact on the world, weren’t the wealthiest in financial terms. They were rich in wisdom, kindness, and love. They understood something that many of us struggle with: the real measure of a life well lived has nothing to do with what we own. Take Alexander the Great, one of history’s most powerful rulers. He conquered vast empires, amassed immeasurable riches, and yet, on his deathbed, he made three final wishes: that his doctors carry his coffin to show that even the greatest healers cannot prevent death; that the path to his grave be strewn with gold, silver, and precious stones to remind the world that material wealth means nothing in the face of mortality; and that his hands be left hanging outside the coffin so that all could see that he, the conqueror of nations, left this world empty-handed. If a man who had everything realized at the end that possessions were meaningless, why do so many of us still chase after them like they define our worth? For me, the ability to be at peace, to appreciate and enjoy my life, is far more valuable than the largest mansion or the most expensive car. Peace of mind isn’t easily attained; it requires right living and a clean conscience. It means investing in personal growth, doing good, and helping others. It’s a wealth that doesn’t depreciate, that no thief can steal, and that doesn’t disappear when our time on this earth is up. We often focus on accumulating money and material things, believing they are the keys to happiness. But when we leave this world, they become meaningless. The true wealth we leave behind isn’t in bank accounts or stock portfolios it’s in the love we’ve given, the kindness we’ve shown, and the relationships we’ve nurtured. That’s what remains. That’s what matters. Think about it what do you truly value more than money? What would you take with you if you could pack a suitcase for your journey to meet the Creator? Would it be stacks of cash, a title, or a house deed? Or would it be the moments of love, the compassion you’ve shown, and the lives you’ve touched? Every interaction we have leaves an imprint on someone’s life. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a moment of shared laughter these things linger in the hearts of others long after they happen. You may never fully see the impact you’ve had, but the love you give continues to ripple outward. Someone out there still holds onto the warmth of your kindness, the strength of your words, and the joy of the moments you shared. Even when we feel small, insignificant, or unnoticed, our presence in this world has meaning. We matter. Yet, for centuries, people have placed their trust in money and material wealth more than in the Creator. People have risked their lives, killed, blackmailed, and committed all kinds of evil all for money. But at what cost? At what point does the chase for wealth steal our very souls? One day, when we stand before our Creator, what will be said about our time here? Will we be remembered for our generosity, love, and kindness? Or will our lives have been nothing more than a relentless pursuit of wealth? When we die, how will our loved ones truly see us? Will they remember us for the joy we brought, the wisdom we shared, and the love we gave? Or will our existence be reduced to nothing more than a collection of things we left behind? If our lives were just about making money and hoarding possessions, what would be in our suitcases when it’s time to go? Nothing. We’d leave as we came with nothing but our spirit, our deeds, and the legacy we left behind. Real wealth isn’t in dollar signs. It’s in the richness of our experiences, the depth of our relationships, and the joy of spiritual growth. Imagine a life filled with purpose, love, and fulfillment that, my friends, is wealth beyond measure. I, Kateb, believe I am extremely wealthy though not in the way the world measures wealth. I am one of the Creator’s spiritual billionaires. To the average person, that may mean nothing. It probably has zero weight in this world’s system of value. To many, I may seem poor. I don’t have luxury cars, I don’t live in a fancy house, and my home needs repairs I can’t afford. I don’t have a high-paying job. I get by week to week. I can’t afford vacations or even to miss a day of work. But you know what? I am still blessed. I still have the favor of the Creator. When I sit at my desk and think about what truly makes me happy, it’s not a paycheck. It’s not a car or a house. It’s the laughter of my loved ones. It’s the feeling of accomplishing something meaningful. It’s the love I give and receive. Financial stability is important there’s no denying that. But it’s dangerous when money becomes the measure of our entire existence. We must remember that true success isn’t

measured by the size of our bank accounts but by the depth of our souls. True success is knowing that when our time is up, we have given more love than we have taken, that we have built rather than destroyed, and that we have left this world just a little bit better than we found it.

Some of the wealthiest people in history died alone, miserable despite their riches. Their money could buy them grand funerals, but it couldn’t buy them the love of those they had neglected. When we leave this world, it won’t be the things we owned that define us it will be the love we gave, the people we uplifted, and the lives we touched.

What will the Creator say about us when we stand before Him? Will He say, "Well done, My child. You loved, you forgave, you uplifted, and you lived your life with purpose." Or will He look at us with sorrow, knowing that we wasted our time chasing things that never truly mattered? We spend so much energy worrying about what people think of us while we are alive, but have we ever stopped to ask what our Creator thinks of us? Have we honored our time here? Have we used our blessings wisely?

Life is not about collecting things it is about collecting moments, experiences, and spiritual wisdom. It is about growing in love, in kindness, in grace. It is about seeking a connection with our Creator that transcends all material desires. If we live only for wealth, our lives will feel empty no matter how much we accumulate. But if we live with purpose, faith, and love, we will never be truly poor.

If I had to pack a suitcase for my journey beyond this life, I would want it to be filled with love, with memories of laughter, with the kindness I’ve shared, and with the moments I truly lived. I would want to bring the knowledge that I used my time well, that I gave my heart freely, and that I left behind something meaningful.

Because at the end of it all, when we are stripped of all earthly things, all that will remain is who we truly were. And that more than any fortune is what will define us for eternity.

True wealth isn't measured by what you have, but by the love, wisdom, and kindness you share.