Counting the cost

Bottom line: Do not engage in a life project if you don’t know the cost to complete it.

Teaching

Many individuals today engage in diverse ventures with no second thoughts of whether they will be successful in the end or not. They seem to ignore the fact that there is a cost attached to everything we see in life. There is a cost for maintaining a friendship, a marriage relationship, a career, a vision, etc.

There are as many divorce cases in court as there are marriages today because the couples just never give a deep thought to what it will cost them to maintain the marriage till death comes their way.

Friendships are broken as well because some partners never think about what it will take to keep their friendships alive and growing.

The main reason why some Christians abandon their faith is that they have a false idea of what it means to be a Christian and are unprepared for the difficulties that come with following Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luke 4:28 (KJV)

Following Jesus comes at a cost. And every believer must be ready to pay the Price. So, Jesus says:

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:24 (KJV)

Following Jesus implies having the devil and the systems of this world as an enemy. It implies forgoing this world for a better world with the son of God. It means going through persecution for the sake of Christ.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)

Be rest assured, being a child of God is the most wonderful thing that can ever happen to a man, but it comes with its own bitter pills as well.

Therefore, before you embark in a relationship with Christ, as well as any other relationship or project, be sure to know the terms and conditions and what it will take to cross the finish line. As such you can speak at the end like Paul the apostle. 

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

Further Study

• Luke 14:31-33 [Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.]

Reflection

• Have you gotten weary in a relationship before?
• Have you maintained your first love for Christ, or has it grown cold?

Prayer

Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that you restore my first love in every divine relationship you brought my way. Grant me the strength to endure until the end, so that I may rejoice with the brethren and celebrate in victory at the appearing of Christ. Amen.