“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28 NIV)
If you don’t count the cost, you won’t know what you need. Have you ever had a great idea? But then you start to put your plan into action and quickly realize, it is way more involved than you thought? I have. About 10 years ago, I decided I was going to start my own business. I was going to create resumes and business cards for people. It didn’t take me long to realize I had a problem. I couldn’t compete with larger companies. There was no way I could charge their prices and still make a profit. I simply could not purchase the paper cheap enough to compete. I may have had the talent, but I didn’t have the physical resources I needed. If you don’t count the cost, you won’t know what you need.
If you don’t count the cost, you don’t know what you need.
Jesus is asking us to count the cost of what it means to be a disciple in the parable this verse comes from:
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27 NIV)
When we count the cost of being a disciple, Matthew sums it up for us:
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NIV)
When you look at it through the lens of losing your soul or gaining it, the cost doesn’t seem that high, at least not to me. I’d rather have the peace of Jesus than the chaos of this world. I’d rather experience His unconditional love rather than the hatred that permeates society. I’d rather receive His grace and mercy, than hold onto the offenses of this world. I’d rather be unified to the body of Christ than one with the world. The cost of following Jesus, we give up death for eternal life.
What is our cost as Christ followers? We do what Jesus did. We forgive those who hurt us. We love those that are unlovable. We pass peace to people, not chaos. We follow in His steps. We first realize our need for Jesus is greater than any cost. Then we share the love, mercy and grace we receive from Him with others. When we count the cost, we find Jesus is what we need.
Question of the Day:
Have you counted the cost of your need for Jesus in your life?
Further Reading: Joshua 3:1-4:24 NIV, Luke 14:7-35 NIV, Psalm 80:1-19 NIV, Proverbs 12:27-28 NIV
