What is the first step to create wealth?

Owning wealth does not guarantee freedom. However, if you want to have freedom, you must have wealth. What is the first step to create wealth? The first step is to understand the difference between assets and liabilities. Asset is the thing that can bring you wealth continuously; liability is something that takes away your pocket wealth. Through the following discussion, I hope to inspire you thought. I am also looking forward to your comments.
1) Is a house an asset? If it is for you living, it is not an asset, because it always takes out the money from your pocket and pays it to the house insurance/hydro/electricity/property tax/maintenance/management fee, and so on. If it is for rent, and there is positive balance after expense deduction, then the house is an asset.
2) Is a car an asset? If it is used for rent, deducting various expenses, there is excess income every month, then, the car is an asset; otherwise it is liability.
3) Is stock an asset? If the dividend can be continuously generated every quarter or on a regular basis, it is an asset; otherwise it is a liability, because the money used to purchase the stock is locked in the stock market, and the stock transaction fee is also paid. Please note, if you buy stocks, expect to sell after the appreciation, this activity is considered investment or speculation, other than assets purchasing.
4) Is gold an asset? Obviously,  gold does not create stable income. Many people buy gold to earn the appreciation and for hedge purpose.

Therefore, to create wealth,  the first step is to differentiate assets and liabilities.