The phrase “count the cost” comes from a parable that Jesus told in Luke 14:28-30: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”
In this parable, Jesus uses the example of someone building a tower to illustrate the importance of carefully considering the cost and demands of being His disciple. Here are some key points about what it means to “count the cost”:
1. Evaluating your commitment
Before taking on a major endeavor like building a tower, any wise person would first consider if they have the resources and ability to follow through and finish the project. In the same way, Jesus wants us to seriously evaluate if we are willing and able to follow Him completely. Being a disciple of Christ requires an unconditional commitment.
Jesus emphasized this in Luke 9:62, saying “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” We need to be “all in” when it comes to following Jesus, not harboring doubts or being double-minded.
2. Considering the sacrifices
Building a tower requires sacrifices – time, money, effort, etc. Similarly, following Jesus involves sacrifice. In Luke 14:33 Jesus said, “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” We have to consider the cost of discipleship and be willing to surrender all to Jesus.
This means sacrificing our own ambitions, agendas, comforts, and desires in order to make Christ the supreme priority in our lives. It involves things like serving others, giving generously, and turning away from sin. Counting the cost means accepting that following Jesus brings both joys and trials.
3. Recognizing Jesus’ preeminence
If we are going to follow through and finish the “tower” of discipleship, we need to build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. He alone must have the preeminent place in our lives.
In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus said “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Nothing can rival our love and commitment to Christ.
Counting the cost means recognizing that Jesus deserves first place in our affections, thoughts, and priorities. No earthly relationship or possession can supplant Him.
4. Surrendering your will
The cost of discipleship includes surrendering our will to God’s will. Jesus modeled this perfectly in Luke 22:42 when He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Part of counting the cost is accepting that following Jesus means laying down our agendas and embracing God’s purposes and plans, even when it’s difficult. It requires obedience, trust, and submission to Christ as Lord of our lives.
5. Persevering despite trials
When a builder begins to construct a tower but fails to finish, onlookers mock and ridicule him. The Christian life also faces scorn, persecution, and trials that could cause us to retreat. Counting the cost means committing beforehand to persevere through hardships in following Christ.
In Luke 14:27 Jesus said taking up our cross daily is part of discipleship. He also assured His followers, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Hardships should not take disciples by surprise or cause them to turn back.
6. Weighing temporal versus eternal
Building an impressive tower has temporal benefits – status, comfort, etc. But if the builder lacks enough resources, the project results in humiliation. Investing in Christ’s eternal kingdom, however, brings rewards both now and forever. Counting the cost means properly weighing temporal desires versus eternal rewards.
Jesus asked in Mark 8:36-37, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” The cost of following Jesus pales in comparison to the eternal benefits of salvation, life, and joy in God’s presence.
7. Making Christ your identity
In the parable, everyone would know who was building the prominent tower. Counting the cost of discipleship includes accepting that our identity now rests completely in Christ. We no longer live for ourselves but for the One who died for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Paul declared in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Part of counting the cost is embracing the reality that our old self is dead and our new life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
8. Accepting Christ’s Lordship
To count the cost means we acknowledge Christ as Lord of our lives. In Luke 6:46 Jesus asks, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Part of surrendering our will to God’s will is joyfully obeying Christ’s commands for our lives.
True disciples affirm as Thomas did in John 20:28, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:15). Part of counting the cost is submitting to Christ’s lordship.
9. Publicly identifying with Christ
The tower builder would be publicly recognized in the community. Likewise, counting the cost of discipleship includes being willing to publicly identify ourselves with Jesus. He must be our highest priority and greatest treasure.
Jesus warned in Luke 9:26, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Part of counting the cost is being willing to follow Christ openly despite objections or persecution.
10. Foraking worldliness
True disciples recognize that friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4). Just as a tower builder must be fully invested in their project, we cannot be partially committed to Christ while clinging to worldliness.
In Luke 16:13 Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Counting the cost involves forsaking the sinful patterns and selfish values of this world.
11. Total abandonment
Counting the cost culminates in completely abandoning our old life to fully embrace Christ. Like Paul expressed in Philippians 3:8, we regard everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus as Lord.
Jesus called His disciples to radical abandonment when He said in Luke 5:27-28, “Follow me.” And that is what they did. Counting the cost means leaving behind our old lives to follow Christ alone.
In summary, “counting the cost” means carefully evaluating what it takes to follow Jesus completely and unconditionally. It requires putting Christ above all else and being willing to make sacrifices to obey His call to discipleship. We must recognize that Jesus alone is worth giving up everything else to gain. Counting the cost prepares us to finish the race of faith and receive eternal reward.
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