Sentence:  In all our noble Anglo-Saxon language, there is scarcely a nobler word than "worth"; yet this term has now almost exclusively a pecuniary meaning. So that if you ask what a man is worth, nobody ever thinks of telling you what he "is", but what he "has". The answer will never refer to his <WSD>merits</WSD>, his virtues, but always to his possessions. He is worth—so much money. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Something deserving or worthy of positive recognition or reward.