Count the Cost

 

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”
Luke 14:28–30

Shalom!

Today's message is for someone reading this who is about to begin something new, and also for someone who started something but is struggling to finish.

For every endeavour in life, there is a cost attached to it. Whether you want to start a business, attend university, build a house, establish a ministry, get married, or pursue a particular dream, you must first sit down and count the cost.

Jesus used the example of a man who wanted to build a tower. Before laying the foundation, the man was expected to consider what it would take to complete the project. Why? Because starting is easy, but finishing requires commitment.

I have discovered that many people start very well, but not everyone finishes well. Some begin with excitement, passion and determination, but along the way they become discouraged, distracted or tired. Eventually, what they started is abandoned, and people begin to ask, “What happened?”

My prayer for you today is that you will not only start well, but you will finish stronger and better than you began, in Jesus' name.

Whatever is worth doing has a cost attached to it.

If you start a business, there is a cost. If you enter into ministry, there is a cost. If you want to become great in life, there is a cost. The cost may include patience, discipline, endurance, sacrifice, consistency and long-suffering.

Today, however, I want us to look beyond the things we pursue in this world and consider the greatest decision a person can ever make: following Jesus Christ.

Jesus said:

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
Luke 14:33

There is a cost to discipleship.

Following Jesus is not simply about receiving blessings, miracles, breakthroughs and answered prayers. It is also about surrender. It is about laying down your will and choosing His will.

The rich young ruler is a powerful example. He came to Jesus with a desire for eternal life. Jesus told him to sell what he had, give to the poor and follow Him. The man saw the cost, but he was not willing to pay it. He walked away sorrowfully because his possessions had become more important to him than following Christ.

Sometimes, the greatest obstacle between a person and God's purpose is not the devil—it is what the person is unwilling to surrender.

Following Christ may cost you your old way of living. It may cost you certain friendships. It may cost you former habits, sinful pleasures, unhealthy relationships and even your own plans for your life.

Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23

There was once a young man who dreamed of becoming a great farmer. One day, he received a piece of land from his father. He was excited. He went to the land, cleared a small portion and planted some seeds.

When the first green leaves appeared, he was full of joy. He told everyone, “I am going to become a successful farmer.”

But farming required more than planting.

The weeds began to grow. The sun became intense. There were days when rain did not come. Sometimes he had to wake up early to work, even when he was tired. Other farmers advised him, but he became discouraged because he expected results immediately.

One morning, he went to the farm and saw that some of his crops had died. He became frustrated and decided to abandon the farm.

His elderly father came to him and asked, “Son, why have you stopped?”

The young man replied, “Father, farming is too difficult. I thought it would be easier.”

His father smiled and said, “When you planted the seed, did you count the cost?”

The young man was silent.

His father continued, “You counted the joy of harvesting, but you did not count the days of labour that would come before the harvest. You counted the fruit, but you did not count the process.”

That statement changed the young man's understanding.

He returned to the farm. He began to work consistently. He learned how to care for the crops, how to manage the soil and how to endure difficult seasons.

Months later, he harvested his first major crop.

His father looked at him and said, “Now you understand. The harvest was not produced on the day you saw it. It was produced through all the days you refused to give up.”

Many people want the crown, but they don't want the cross.

Many want the testimony, but they don't want the process.

Many want the anointing, but they don't want the sacrifice.

Many want to be used by God publicly, but they don't want to surrender to Him privately.

Great things are rarely built overnight. A strong marriage, a successful business, a fruitful ministry and a meaningful life are all built through consistent obedience, patience and sacrifice.

Even in our walk with Christ, there will be moments when following Him will not be convenient. There will be moments when obedience will cost you something. There will be moments when you must choose between what you want and what God wants.

That is why you must count the cost.

Do not begin following Jesus because of what you think He will give you. Follow Him because He is Lord.

Do not serve God only when everything is working in your favour. Remain faithful when the answers seem delayed.

Do not abandon your assignment because the process has become difficult.

Remember: the difficulty of the process does not mean God has abandoned you.

Jesus Himself endured the cross because He saw beyond the pain to the glory that was set before Him.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He endured the cross and despised its shame because of the joy set before Him.

If you want to build something meaningful, count the cost.

If you want to succeed in your career, count the cost.

If you want a strong marriage, count the cost.

If you want to build a lasting business, count the cost.

If you want to fulfil God's calling upon your life, count the cost.

And if you want to follow Jesus, count the cost.

The question is not only, “What do I want?”

The greater question is, “What am I willing to surrender, endure and sacrifice to become what God has called me to be?”

The Apostle Paul understood this. He suffered rejection, persecution, imprisonment and hardship, yet he continued until he could say:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

May that also be your testimony.

May you not be among those who started but never finished.

May you not abandon your marriage because of a difficult season.

May you not abandon your business because of temporary failure.

May you not abandon your ministry because of opposition.

And above all, may you never abandon Jesus because following Him became costly.

Count the cost.

Pay the price.

Stay with Christ.

Finish well.

Prayer:
Father, give me the grace to count the cost and remain faithful to the end. Give me strength when the journey becomes difficult, wisdom when I am confused, patience when the answers seem delayed, and courage to surrender anything that stands between me and Your will. Help me not only to start well but to finish well. May my life bring glory to You, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Shalom!

Evang Taiye Ajayi
Taiye Ajayi Ministries