Counting the Cost

Illustration of Counting the Cost

In addressing the crowds, Jesus used the illustrations of a tower builder and a warring king to emphasize that discipleship requires one to count the cost beforehand. Just as these figures must determine if they possess sufficient resources to complete their endeavors without failure or defeat, so must those who would follow Christ be prepared to surrender all they have. This parable thus calls believers to a wholehearted commitment that aligns with the redemptive purpose of laying down one's life in response to the Savior's own sacrifice.

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Category: Discipleship

Meaning: True discipleship requires carefully counting the cost before committing to follow Jesus. One must be willing to surrender everything to be his disciple.

Audience: Crowds

Key Passages

The Parable

Luke 14:28-33

F28or which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 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? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Related

Characters

Life Situations

Did You Know?

1

Jesus said that anyone who wants to be His disciple must first count the cost.

2

No one builds a tower without first calculating whether he has enough to finish it.

3

A king going to war first sits down to decide if he can win with his current army.

4

Jesus demands total commitment. Half-hearted following will eventually fail.