Who You Are Comes Before What You Do By Howard Rich

You and Finding Your Identity in Christ

When someone asks, you “Tell me about yourself,” how do you answer? Most of us reach for a job title, a role, or a list of accomplishments. We lead with what we do. But what happens when the title changes, the position ends, or the achievements fade? If our identity is built on what we do, it will shift whenever our circumstances change.

Your Foundation

Scripture offers a firmer foundation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Before we are leaders, professionals, or providers, we are image bearers of a loving God, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). ur identity is not something we construct; it is something we receive and steward on behalf of the One who created us.

The World’s Influence

The world tells us different stories. One says our identity is determined by the voices around us—culture, family, tradition—leaving our worth to shift with every changing opinion. Another says we define ourselves, trusting our limited human ability to chart our own destiny. Both narratives put an impossible weight on our shoulders, tying our value to performance and leaving us chasing a moving target.

A Steward’s Response

The steward’s identity is different. We are not owners of our lives, our roles, or even our reputations; we are caretakers of what God has entrusted to us. That is wonderfully freeing. When we relinquish ownership of our identity, we no longer need to build a reputation or earn others’ applause. We are content to live in the will of God and enjoy the applause of nail-scarred hands. The merit we received “brought about your adoption to sonship. nd by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father'” (Romans 8:14-15).

Everything Changes

This changes how we lead. A leader secure in Christ can give credit away, admit mistakes, and lift others, because no success or failure can touch who they are. We are God’s stewards first; everything we do flows from that firm foundation.

I would encourage us to know who we are because we know whose we are. It rests in our identity as God’s stewards, and leads from that place of freedom and joy.

Howard Rich is the CFO of Amazi Water and the President of the Center for Steward Leader Studies. H ward is a lifelong advocate of generous living. He desires to see Christians lead from a heart of stewardship and generosity.

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