Have you ever been unpleasantly surprised by a bill? We usually know how much something will cost before we purchase it, or we cancel the order if the cost seems too high for what we are getting. Still, sometimes, we don’t read the fine print before signing the dotted line, so it is important to count the cost first.
In business, they do a cost-benefit analysis following four basic steps:
1. Establish a framework
2. Identify costs and benefits
3. Assign a value to costs and benefits
4. Tally the total value of benefits and costs and compare.
If we do a cost-benefit analysis of being a disciple of Jesus, what do you think would be the final analysis? Let’s take a closer look at the cost of discipleship as laid out in the Bible.
In Luke 14, Jesus has just left a dinner with the Pharisees, where Jesus had spoken in parables about charity, humility, and the Jews rejecting him. As he leaves, he is followed by a multitude. So, in verse 28, Jesus says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Then, in Luke 14:31, Jesus says, “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”
Jesus was talking to the multitudes who were following him, as well as the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were watching his every move. The Jews were looking for a Messiah to lead them to victory and wealth, but Jesus warns them that following Him will have a cost, so they should take note before signing on to be a disciple. This warning is also applicable to modern believers as well. Life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ is not an easy path, but we must each decide if it is worth the cost.
Have we counted the cost of discipleship? When Jesus spoke to the masses, he laid out what it would cost to be a disciple.
According to Matthew Henry’s commentary on Luke 14, disciples must be willing:
- To give up things that were dear to them, like their family and even their life (Luke 14:26)
- To bear a cross daily (Luke 14:27)
- To be hated by the world (Luke 15:18-19)
- To suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)
Going back to the cost-benefit analysis, if we are to see whether or not being a disciple is worth the cost, we also need to look at the benefits:
- Forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9)
- Eternal life in Heaven (1 John 5:11)
- Restored relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
- The Holy Spirit’s presence to guide and comfort (John 14:15-18)
We have covered the costs and benefits, but what is the value of each of those? The value must take into account what it cost God to make this transaction even possible:
- Our healing came from Jesus’ wounds (Isaiah 53:5)
- Our salvation came from his death on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Our reconciliation with God came at the loss of His Son (John 3:16)
- Our gift of the Holy Spirit came from Christ dying and leaving (John 14:28)
God was willing to sacrifice His Son, and Jesus was willing to be the sacrifice so that we might be reconciled to Him in love. What are we willing to give in return?
When we compare the benefits of discipleship and the value of those benefits, the cost of temporary discomfort is nothing compared to the eternal rewards we will receive.
In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul reminds us that “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
The best way to count the cost is for every negative thing that comes as a cost of discipleship, we should remember what it cost Christ and what God has given us in return. Let’s revisit some of the costs of discipleship—what we may have to give up or endure for Christ:
1. Discipleship means giving up dear things, like our family and even our lives (Luke 14:26), but we receive adoption into God’s family because 1 John 3:1 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
2. Discipleship means bearing a cross daily (Luke 14:27), but Matthew 11:29-30 says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
3. Discipleship means to be hated by the world (John 15:18-19), but John 13:35 also tells us, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
4. Discipleship may mean suffering persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but Romans 8:36-39 tells us, “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
For every earthly or temporal thing we give up as disciples, there is an even better eternal replacement. We exchange sin for forgiveness, hate for love, knowledge for wisdom, the law for grace, and mercy for judgment. The rewards are far greater than the cost. Even if we only received reconciliation with God, it would be worth it all, but like the prodigal son’s father, He does more than just receive us. He gives us a place in the family, new clothes of righteousness, and a celebration for all eternity.
Counting the cost doesn’t end with our choice to become a disciple. We must decide how to continue to do it every day. So, given all of that, how can we count the cost in our daily lives? I think the key is to keep the value of things in mind. A few ways we can do that is to:
- Keep a gratitude journal to remind ourselves of all the good things in our lives.
- Keep scripture on hand through memorization, sticky notes, or digital daily verses that remind us of the benefits of being a disciple.
- Keep in mind whether circumstances are temporal or eternal, and give them over to God to handle.
- Keep close to God through prayer so that we can find peace and comfort in His Presence no matter the situation.
No matter how you count the cost, we gain far more than we will ever give up.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/tumsasedgars
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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