But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, “There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!”… So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. [Luke 14:28-30,33 (NLT)]
No sacrifice should be too great for Him who gave Himself for us. [Harry Ironside]
Intrigued by the “starting from” price in the ads for a new community, some curious friends toured one of their model homes. Seeming to have every feature they wanted, the house appeared to be in their price range. It was only after sitting down with the salesman to go over the purchase details that they discovered the true cost. The granite countertops, energy-efficient stainless appliances, and pull-out pantry seen in the model home were not included in the base price, nor were the paddle fans, bar sink, under cabinet lighting, pool, pool cage, rheostats, recessed lighting, crown molding, or tray ceiling in the dining room. After adding their desired upgrades to the “starting from” price, the couple realized the “ending up” cost was too great for them.
When Jesus said “count the cost,” He wasn’t giving us a list of options with a matching pricelist. Although God’s grace is free, we must agree to certain terms if we’re going to accept His salvation. Counting the cost for following Jesus is like giving the builder unlimited access to our bank and investment accounts and then allowing him to determine the size, design, location, materials, amenities, and décor of our new house! Knowing the cost would be greater than the amount we were prepared to spend, that’s not a deal we’d make with any builder.
While we wouldn’t do that for a house, what is the price of a soul? Being a disciple of Jesus is giving Him unlimited access to our lives and assets. As the One who determines the finished product, He takes our old selves and rebuilds us as the people we’re meant to be (which may not be what we thought we wanted to be). Having given God carte blanche, we don’t have an option or upgrades list. We can’t say, “I’ll take the love and forgiveness along with church attendance and Bible study but I’ll skip the self-denial and obedience” or “I’ll keep my independence and pride and take a pass on sacrifice, generosity, and evangelism.”
Consecrating our lives to the Lord is not a decision to be made carelessly or thoughtlessly. Nevertheless, as costly as it may be, choosing to follow Jesus is an excellent value and the best investment we could ever make. Instead of a luxurious new house on earth, we get one in heaven along with a new identity, heart, mind, family, future, and purpose.
For God no cost is too high. Anything can be sacrificed if only we may please Him. Let us daily learn to be obedient children. [Watchman Nee]
The two were seated next to us on the patio; the frail elderly woman was the mother and the younger woman her daughter. After pondering the menu, the mother had all sorts of questions about it. In no rush to order, she dithered over her entrée choice and, once food was served, she lingered over it. As I observed the two women, I could see and hear the daughter’s growing frustration and impatience with her mother. They reminded me of the times I took my mother-in-law out to lunch. Having “been there and done that,” I wanted to tell the daughter to be patient. One day, mom would be gone and she’d wish they had more days together.
It’s often said, “Like father, like son,” and that was true of my father-in-law and his sons. Although they weren’t carbon copies of their dad, the boys shared several characteristics with the man who fathered them. In the same way, because God created us in His image, we share some of His characteristics. Of course, there are many important ways we are not like our Creator—He is all-knowing, eternal, all-powerful, and ever-present. Without a physical body, we don’t have things like God’s nose, hair color, or smile. Nevertheless, we do resemble Him in the spiritual, moral, and intellectual attributes of our nature that distinguish us from the rest of the animal world.
“I’m so busy!” If there’s even a remote possibility that we might be asked to do something we’d rather avoid, we can cut off the request at the pass by starting the conversation with those words. It’s the perfect out. On the other hand, when said to us, we can’t argue with it.
Tithe means ten percent and the concept of the making a tithe is first found in Genesis. After being blessed by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a “priest of God Most High,” Abram/Abraham gave him a tenth of all the goods he recovered from Kedorlaomer’s army after rescuing Lot. [14:20] After Jacob asked for God’s protection and provision, he pledged a tenth of his future blessings to Him. [28:22]
In 1 Kings 21, we learn of Naboth, the owner of a vineyard adjacent to King Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. A choice piece of real estate, Ahab wanted it for himself and offered to purchase or exchange it for other land. Property, however, wasn’t to be treated as a real estate investment—it was to remain in the family to which it had been allotted. Because Jewish law prohibited Naboth from selling his ancestral land, he rejected the king’s offer. Angry at his neighbor’s refusal’s, Ahab acted like a spoiled child, took to his bed, and refused to eat. Upon learning the reason for her husband’s sulking, Jezebel hatched a devious plan. She arranged for false accusations to be made against Naboth that would result in his immediate death. Jezebel’s evil plot went as planned and, upon news of their neighbor’s death, she told Ahab the land was his and he took it for himself!
Devotions of the Heart 