My Worth Is Not In What I Own

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"My Worth Is Not in What I Own" is a modern hymn that powerfully affirms the believer’s identity in Christ, rather than in possessions, status, or human achievements. Written in 2014 by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick, this hymn has quickly become a treasured anthem among churches around the world. It was composed as part of the Gettys’ wider effort to restore rich theological truths in congregational singing. Graham Kendrick, well known for earlier worship classics such as “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” collaborated with the Gettys to write a hymn that would help Christians reject the cultural lies about worth and value. The result is a song that offers a clear and poetic reminder: true worth is not measured by what we own or accomplish, but by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Lyrically, the hymn moves through various earthly metrics of value—wealth, success, beauty, strength—and contrasts them with the eternal value of being redeemed by Christ. Its refrain, “My worth is not in what I own... but in the costly wounds of love at the cross,” captures the heart of the message. Musically, it is gentle and meditative, often set in 6/8 time, with a flowing melody that supports quiet reflection and congregational participation. Each verse builds upon the last, guiding the listener to a climactic realization in the fifth stanza: “Two wonders here that I confess: my worth and my unworthiness, my value fixed—my ransom paid at the cross.” This profound line speaks to the Christian paradox of being simultaneously unworthy in oneself and yet infinitely valued because of Christ’s sacrificial love. The hymn acknowledges human frailty and pride but firmly centers the believer’s identity in the Gospel.

Theologically, the song is rooted in key scriptures such as Philippians 3:7–8, where Paul considers all his earthly gains as loss compared to knowing Christ; 1 Peter 1:18–19, which speaks of our redemption not with perishable things but with the precious blood of Christ; and Galatians 2:20, which celebrates the believer’s life as one lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave Himself for us. "My Worth Is Not in What I Own" has been used widely in church services, especially during times of communion, reflection, or themes surrounding identity and humility. It has also been featured in conferences such as the Gettys’ Sing! Conference and included in modern hymnals. In an age dominated by messages of self-worth based on image, possessions, and performance, this hymn gently redirects the Christian's heart to the cross, where the truest measure of worth is found—not in what we own or do, but in who Christ is and what He has done.