Counting Costs

Counting Cost

COUNTING THE COST

But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it. Luke 14:28

There is a cost to following Jesus, but I would also add there is a greater cost in not following Him. Whatever you give up to follow Christ will be more than made up for in this life and certainly in the life to come.

Jesus said, “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” (Luke 14:27-28). In other words, “Don’t do this on the impulse of a moment. Count the cost.”

Yet some people who set out to follow Christ haven’t counted the cost, like couples who rush into marriage. Once you have made a marriage commitment, it is a lifelong commitment. And if you are not willing to make it, then do everyone a favour and stay single.

The Bible records the story of someone who saw Jesus walk by and blurted out, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus had not called this person to follow Him; he just volunteered. So Jesus said, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head.” Loose paraphrase: “My friend, I am not headed to the Jerusalem Golden Tulip. It is a rough life. I am headed to the cross. Are you sure you want to come along?”

Sometimes in the impulse of the moment someone will say, “I will follow Jesus,” but they don’t follow through on that commitment. They didn’t count the cost.

We must fully realize that being a true disciple of Jesus is not easy. Therefore, we must count the cost.

Prayer: Receive strength from the Lord to follow Him all the days of your life no matter the cost.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 14:25-33

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it —

29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

NKJV

Counting Costs