Most of us instinctively aspire for greatness. We want to do well and leave a positive impact. However, it’s quite easy to run in directions that may not make the most impactful imprints we ultimately desire.

For what makes someone truly mighty? Is it how much they accumulate for themselves? Is it what they drive, where they live, how many houses they own, and/or how much money they make?

Many believe so, as I once did, and find themselves sacrificing far too much for it, but this is a very limited view.

Rather, what about those who have none of these things and yet they impact countless lives through their faith, love, care, and generosity?

Aren’t they mighty too? Indeed, but such sacrificial living doesn’t seem to hold the fanfare, glitz and glimmer that having lots of money seems to generate.

Working in the finanical industry allows me to see this defining of greatness dynamic played out up close and personal.

Interestingly, when you get to the root of someone’s goals and desires they often mistakenly attach them to money, when in reality their deepest desires reach far beyond that.

More than anything, they want to provide for their families, to try and protect their loved ones from hardships, support causes that have meaning to them, and give to others in ways that help them improve their lives. They ultimately want to make a difference.

They assume money is the answer and the way to accomplish all this, like I once did. Clearly, in many ways it helps, but money isn’t what makes us mighty.

Genuine strength comes from what we choose to do with what we already have. This begins with where we place our faith and hope in the first place – Christ, or money?

Clearly, there are some who only care about themselves and desire money solely for themselves, but this is not greatness. For greatness is not reduced to how great we can make ourselves materially.

As we consider this concept, consider how we currently focus, invest, use and allocate the resources we have that stretch beyond monetary terms?

These assets, those we all have some measure of, include our time, talents, treasures (possessions), and testimonies (our story).

We all have time – how do we spend it? We all have talents – how do we use them? We all have something tangible – how do we spend it? We all have a story – how do we share it to encourage others?

We can either hoard, hide, waste, and/or invest all of these assets.

Therefore, being strong and mighty reaches far beyond our money. In many ways, that’s the cheapest thing we have. For everything else we possess comes from inside us. Our hearts then impact our wallets.

It’s encouraging to see light bulbs go off when people realize their greatness isn’t limited to their bank account. This means anyone can be mighty when they choose to invest what they have to benefit others, glorify God, and make a positive impact in their homes, communities, and workplace (Matthew 5:16).

If we can begin to aspire for greatness under these terms, it could be measured by the size of one’s heart and not the size of the wallet.