In what ways can you apply Luke 14:28 to your spiritual journey? The Verse in Focus “Luke 14:28: ‘For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?’ ” The Call to Thoughtful Discipleship Scripture presents this image as a literal, down-to-earth example: a builder must budget before laying a single stone. In the same way, every believer is urged to weigh the full, lifelong implications of following Christ (Luke 14:27, 33). Key Elements of Counting the Cost • Total surrender to Christ’s lordship • Willingness to renounce sin and self (Luke 9:23) • Commitment that endures persecution, loss, or inconvenience (2 Timothy 3:12) • Reliance on the sufficiency of God’s grace rather than personal strength (2 Corinthians 12:9) Personal Inventory • Time: setting aside consistent moments for Scripture and prayer • Affections: guarding the heart from competing idols (1 John 5:21) • Finances: stewarding resources for kingdom purposes (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) • Relationships: choosing companions who strengthen faith (1 Corinthians 15:33) • Habits: discarding practices that hinder holiness (Hebrews 12:1) Guarding Against Half-Built Towers • Refuse impulsive commitments; pause and seek counsel (Proverbs 15:22) • Write out a personal discipleship plan—clear goals in worship, fellowship, service, and witness • Monitor progress, rejoicing in every milestone while staying vigilant against complacency (Philippians 3:12-14) God’s Provision for Completion • The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers obedience (Acts 1:8) • The Word of God supplies wisdom and correction (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • The fellowship of believers offers accountability and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25) • The promise of Christ’s sustaining presence ensures ultimate success (Philippians 1:6) Practical Applications for the Daily Journey • Start every week reviewing commitments, aligning schedules with kingdom priorities • Memorize anchor verses that fortify resolve during trials • Set aside moments to recount ways God has already met past costs, building confidence for future steps • Intentionally simplify life, eliminating distractions that drain spiritual resources • Regularly evaluate goals against Scripture, not cultural standards Scriptural Reinforcements • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: the disciplined runner presses on for an imperishable crown • Proverbs 24:3-4: wisdom and understanding establish a house • Philippians 2:12-13: work out salvation, for God works in the believer to will and act • James 1:22-25: doers of the Word build lasting structures, not forgetful hearers Encouragement for Perseverance Every genuine disciple who intentionally calculates the cost discovers that Christ Himself is the priceless treasure exceeding every expenditure (Matthew 13:44-46). He supplies all that is necessary to finish the tower of faith, bringing glory to His name and joy to the believer. |
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