Count the Cost

June 15, 2019

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” Luke 14:28 NIV

Jesus is talking about counting the cost. There is example after example in this chapter about humility, surrender, and response. Will we enter the banquet (the places we go, the people we interact with) in self-importance or will we go in humility? Do we have to be first or are we just as content being last? Are we willing to put others before ourselves?

Surrender. When we are invited to the banquet, will we lay aside our comforts, our plans, and surrender our time, attention, and heart to go. In other words, when Jesus invites us to step out into something new, when He calls us to do something, what is our response? Are we too busy, or too comfortable, or too afraid? He has prepared the way for us, we just have to walk in it. I know I am guilty of fear and feeling like I lack the skills and abilities for what He has called me to do, but I must remember that He has already prepared the way. I have to love Him above everything else and pick up my cross and follow Him.

Finally response. After I count the cost, what will my response be? Following Jesus is not easy, there is a cost. The cost pales in comparison to what we receive when we follow Him. The cost is everything. He wants all of us. What we receive in return is all of Him for all eternity.