Connect Deuteronomy 20:6 with Luke 14:28 on counting the cost. Introduction to the Two Passages • Deuteronomy 20:6: “Has any man planted a vineyard and not yet begun to enjoy its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit.” • Luke 14:28: “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?” Historical Setting: Deuteronomy 20:6 • Moses addresses Israel’s warfare regulations. • Three recent life events grant exemption from battle: new house (v. 5), new vineyard (v. 6), recent marriage (v. 7). • Principle: God values responsible stewardship—one must reap what he has sown before risking loss. Illustration from Jesus: Luke 14:28 • Jesus speaks to large crowds about the seriousness of discipleship (vv. 25-35). • Tower-builder parable: wise planning prevents unfinished, ridiculed work. • Principle: weigh the full demands of following Christ before committing. Connecting Thread: Intentional, Cost-Aware Commitment 1. Both texts spotlight thoughtful foresight: – Vineyard planter anticipates harvest. – Tower builder anticipates completion. 2. Both recognize potential loss: – Death in battle means fruitless labor. – Inadequate funds mean an incomplete tower. 3. Both affirm that God expects His people to honor commitments responsibly (cf. Proverbs 21:5; Ecclesiastes 5:5). Spiritual Implications for Believers • Salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet discipleship demands whole-life surrender (Luke 14:33). • Just as the Israelite secured his vineyard’s future, a believer must reckon with: – Personal sacrifices (Luke 9:23). – Family priorities (Luke 14:26). – Material considerations (Matthew 6:24). • Counting the cost safeguards against half-hearted allegiance that brings reproach (Revelation 3:15-16). Practical Takeaways • Inventory your resources—time, gifts, finances—before new ministry ventures (Proverbs 24:27). • Finish what you start; incomplete witness harms God’s reputation (2 Corinthians 8:11). • Guard fruit already planted: nurture relationships, cultivate spiritual disciplines (John 15:8). • Enter battles only when stewardship of prior commitments is secure; both warfare and discipleship require undivided devotion (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Conclusion Deuteronomy’s vineyard exemption and Jesus’ tower parable converge on one timeless lesson: God calls His people to sober, forward-looking obedience that anticipates the cost, protects prior fruit, and perseveres to completion. |
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