Discipleship: Step One – Do the Math

” ‘Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” ‘ ” (Luke 14:28-30)

Ever build a tower? Yeah, me neither. But before Jesus moved on to his third requirement for following as one of his true disciples, he wanted the large crowd to think about budgeting. Yawn, right?

disciples_350Not really. He’s talking about what it will cost us to follow him. In essence, he’s saying, “If you can’t pay for it, don’t sign on the dotted line.” He’s almost like an anti-salesman for discipleship.

If your building project runs out of money before it’s done, everyone will notice. Some will laugh and point. Don’t walk the aisle while the music plays in front of God and everyone only to change your mind on the ride home. You’re talking about the rest of your life. How much of it—how much of ourselves—are we really willing to give to hiking the trail of Jesus?

Think: Are you more likely to make rash commitments of all or nothing—or to try things out a little at a time to see how they go? Is one better than the other? Can you commit to following Jesus a little at a time?

Pray: Ask God to help you to understand what it means to count the cost of following Jesus as a disciple.

Do: Look for some half-finished building projects in your world (or your life) this week.