“Don’t begin until you count the cost.” Luke 14:28 NLT
“Successful endeavors begin with an accurate calculation of cost and reward.”
My thoughts today are about “cost and reward.”
There are many good things about being a child. Price tags don’t matter. Numbers and dollar signs are irrelevant. A child has little or no means of its own, so whether it costs a little or a lot doesn’t have to matter. They have neither. They only know that they want something. They don’t worry about paying for it.
But eventually you have to grow up, and you learn that everything has a price. And you are faced with questions and choices. Can I afford what I want? Will it be worth what it costs? The problem is, not everyone grows up; some just grow older without learning to understand the real cost and consequence of their choices. Ever wonder why credit cards were devised, or for whose benefit they exist? Trust me they are convenient, but that is convenience at a high price. They are good servants but terrible masters.
Credit cards are minimally for your benefit; they are for the financial gain of the credit card issuer. With a credit card, an adult can still act like a child, not hindered by mundane realities like price or affordability. You like the toy; have it. You want it; charge it. You like the car; get it. You like the house; buy it. You simply get what you want now, leaving till later the estimate of what your purchase costs, and how you will repay that.
Jesus gave practical advice, “Don’t start a project you won’t finish; don’t involve yourself in a dispute you aren’t prepared to resolve.” Read Luke 14:28-33 NIV. Good advice for your financial and relational life. Successful endeavors begin with a careful and accurate calculation of cost and reward. If you have not accurately assessed cost and possible consequence, you should not begin the project or purchase. That cost may require a diversity of currencies – whether money, effort, time, commitment, or the sacrifice of doing without something else, now and/or later.
Everything you do or want has a price tag that you, or someone else, will have to pay. Count the cost to be sure that it will be worth it to you. Jesus was not discouraging people from challenging endeavors. On the contrary, He created you for adventure and faith, but not for failure through lack of forethought and foolish choices. He was teaching the necessary first step to your success. Know what it will require from you. Counting the cost first will empower you to complete your task more confidently and successfully.
Here’s a more important element of this principle: your spiritual life will also cost you something. If something is good and worth anything, it costs you something. Jesus’ challenge to every one of us is this: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must set aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Luke 9:23-24 NLT.
Discipleship is never discounted; always a bargain, but never available at a bargain price. Spiritual life and character development do not come cheaply. Jesus counted the cost for your salvation, and embraced the cross and gave His life. Read Philippians 2:5-11 NIV. You should also count the cost of your discipleship, and then “go for it!”
My prayer for you today is that you will be wise and learn to succeed in all areas of life.