July 7 | Disciples Count the Cost

Series | The Life of Discipleship

Scripture | Luke 14:28, “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?”

Lesson 7 | Disciples Count the Cost

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is free, but it will cost you everything you have.  In other words, to be a disciple doesn’t require an application or a sum of money to “buy.”  But rather, discipleship is costly because it’s just not a one-time decision or purchase- it's a life long journey of obedience to King Jesus. 

Jesus never manipulated people or tried to water down His message to gain more followers.  He wasn’t “seeker sensitive,” but rather Jesus was always, “Father sensitive.”  Jesus consistently pleased the Father, rather than pleasing man’s opinions and feelings, John 8:29.

The above verse is taken from a set of parables Jesus gave to express the seriousness of being His disciple.  Jesus used both the example of building a tower and going to war to demonstrate the kind of forethought someone should have before choosing to follow Him. 

In both examples the cost must be soberly considered because lack of commitment will end in horrible consequences.  The general who doesn’t properly examine both his army and the one he is opposing can lead his men into a blood bath.  Also, if the person building the tower (skyscraper) doesn’t consider the amount of supplies needed to complete the project he will only be able to build a weak half-finished structure that will be both dangerous to all around and a mockery to those who see it.

Therefore, Jesus is clearly teaching that all who follow Him and choose to be His disciple must “count the cost.”  Every person will pay a different price, but no one can follow Jesus without giving up everything they have.

Take time today to count the cost of following Jesus and make a well-informed decision to follow Him!

Reflection | What cost do you have to pay to be Jesus’ disciple?

Action | (1) Repent if you have taken being Jesus’ disciple too lightly. (2) Consider what it will cost to follow Jesus all the days of your life. (3) Lastly, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to do all that Jesus commanded.   

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25:1-27, Psalm 5:1-12, & Proverbs 18:19. Click here to read online.