The Unshakable Worth of a Man: Beyond Productivity and Performance

Eugene Allen • February 22, 2026

Modern society often measures a man’s value by what he can do—his career achievements, financial success, or ability to provide. This utilitarian mindset reduces human worth to productivity, claiming that “the greatest good for the greatest number” justifies valuing people based on their utility[1]. But this view clashes with a deeper, timeless truth: your value isn’t earned—it’s given.


The Problem with the "Do More, Be More" Lie


The utilitarian approach to human worth seems logical in a results-driven world. It asks:


  • What can you contribute?
  • How much do you produce?
  • Are you useful?


While this mindset fuels innovation and progress, it leaves men trapped in a cycle of insecurity. If your value depends on your output, what happens when you fail, retire, or face limitations? This framework breeds anxiety, burnout, and shame—a far cry from the “happiness” utilitarianism claims to prioritize[1].


The Countercultural Truth: Made for More


The Bible offers a radical alternative. Your worth isn’t rooted in what you do but in who you are:


  1. You Are Imprinted with Divine Value
    “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27, ESV)[2][4] Being made in God’s image means your value is intrinsic, unshakable, and independent of achievements. You reflect the Creator’s glory simply by existing.
  2. You Are Redeemed by Grace, Not Performance
    “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)[5] Salvation—and your worth—is a gift. No amount of success or failure can alter God’s love for you.
  3. You Are Stewarding a Sacred Life
    “The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10, ESV)[2] Your life isn’t yours to “maximize” for societal gain. It’s a sacred trust from God, to be lived with purpose and reverence.


Breaking Free from the Performance Trap


For men weighed down by societal expectations, the gospel offers liberation:


  • Stop Equating Identity with Achievement Your job title, income, or accolades don’t define you. You are a beloved son of God—whether you’re thriving or struggling.
  • Embrace Weakness as a Gateway to Grace Christ’s power “is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV). Vulnerability isn’t failure; it’s an invitation to rely on God’s strength.
  • Measure Success by Eternal Impact Invest in what outlasts you: relationships, integrity, and acts of love. As C.S. Lewis said, “You are not a body with a soul—you are a soul with a body.”


A Call to Live Differently


Reject the lie that your value fluctuates with your productivity. Ground your identity in truths that withstand cultural shifts:


  • You are known (“Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” —Matthew 10:30, ESV).
  • You are chosen (“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” —Ephesians 1:4, ESV)[3].
  • You are secure (“Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 8:39, ESV).
  • 

The world may judge you by your resume, but God calls you His masterpiece. Live not for applause, but for the Audience of One.