Count the Cost
Imagine This
A man announces that he is going to build his dream home—a sprawling mansion on a beautiful piece of property. Friends and family are excited. Construction begins, and before long, the foundation is poured and the walls start going up.
But then the money runs out.
Construction stops. Weeks turn into months. Months turn into years. Everyone who drives by sees the unfinished mansion sitting empty.
People shake their heads and say, "He should have counted the cost before he started."
The problem wasn't that he dreamed too big.
The problem was that he began without understanding what it would take to finish.
Read Together
Read Luke 14:25–33 together.
As you read, notice the two illustrations Jesus uses before talking about discipleship.
Scripture Overview
Large crowds are following Jesus when He suddenly says something surprising.
Before telling people to follow Him, He tells them to count the cost.
First, He describes a man building a tower. No sensible builder starts construction without first calculating whether he has enough to finish. Otherwise, everyone sees the unfinished project and wonders why he ever started.
Then Jesus gives a second example. Before a king goes to war, he first asks whether his army is able to win the battle. If not, he seeks peace before it is too late.
Both illustrations make the same point.
Wise people think about the cost before making a commitment.
Jesus is not trying to discourage people from following Him.
He is calling people to follow Him with open eyes.
Discipleship is more than an emotional decision or a moment at the altar. It is a lifetime of trusting, obeying, and following Jesus, even when it requires sacrifice.
Jesus concludes:
"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
Following Jesus will cost us something.
But Jesus is worth everything He asks us to give.
Talk About It
Why do you think Jesus wanted people to count the cost before following Him?
What are some reasons people begin following Jesus but struggle to continue?
How is a lifelong commitment different from an emotional decision?
What sacrifices has following Jesus required—or might require—in your life?
Practice This Week
This week, take an honest look at your commitment to Christ.
Ask yourself:
Am I following Jesus only when it is convenient?
Is there anything I am unwilling to surrender to Him?
Have I counted the cost of discipleship—and decided He is worth it?
Choose one area of your life where you need to move from partial commitment to wholehearted obedience.
Prayer
God, thank You for calling us to follow Your Son. Forgive us for the times we want the blessings of discipleship without the commitment it requires.
Give us courage to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, whatever the cost. Help us to trust that nothing we surrender for Your sake compares to what we gain in You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.