Count the Cost

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” Luke 14:28-30

A tremendous amount of planning goes into every construction project. Blueprints must be drawn for every trade and someone must be prepared to coordinate every phase of construction process. Detailed lists are compiled of the specific building materials needed and orders are placed and deliveries are scheduled well in advance. But before the first shovel of dirt can be moved, someone has to calculate the total cost of the project to be sure that the funds necessary for completion will be available.

Jesus used this illustration to help us understand that there is a cost associated with following Him. There are changes that must be made to our lifestyles. There are sacrifices that He expects us to make if we desire to be His disciples. It is easy to say that we want to be a Christian. It has often been said that becoming a Christian is one of the easiest things that a person could do. Believing in Jesus and asking Him to save us is simple. On the other hand, one of the most difficult things that a person can do is to live like a Christian. Jesus said that if we want to be His disciples, we must first count the cost.