In the biblical context, the concept of "costs" encompasses both the literal and metaphorical expenses associated with various aspects of life, including sacrifices, discipleship, and the construction of sacred spaces. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the importance of understanding and considering costs in spiritual and material endeavors.

Old Testament References

1. Sacrificial Costs: The Old Testament law required the Israelites to offer sacrifices, which often involved significant costs. For instance, in Leviticus, the Israelites were instructed to bring offerings from their livestock, such as bulls, sheep, or goats, which represented a substantial economic cost to the individual. These sacrifices were necessary for atonement and maintaining a right relationship with God (Leviticus 1-7).

2. Construction of the Tabernacle and Temple: The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple involved considerable material and labor costs. In Exodus 25-31, God provides detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, requiring offerings of gold, silver, bronze, and other valuable materials from the people. Similarly, the building of Solomon's Temple was a massive undertaking, involving extensive resources and labor (1 Kings 5-6).

3. Counting the Cost: In 2 Samuel 24:24, King David insists on paying the full price for Araunah's threshing floor to build an altar to the LORD, stating, "I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." This highlights the principle that true worship and devotion often require personal sacrifice and cost.

New Testament References

1. Cost of Discipleship: Jesus frequently spoke about the cost of following Him. In Luke 14:28-33, He uses the analogy of a builder who must calculate the cost before constructing a tower, emphasizing that discipleship requires careful consideration and a willingness to forsake all for His sake. Jesus states, "In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:33).

2. Parables Illustrating Costs: Jesus' parables often illustrate the concept of cost. In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46), a merchant sells all he has to purchase a single pearl of great value, symbolizing the immeasurable worth of the Kingdom of Heaven and the total commitment required to obtain it.

3. Spiritual Costs and Rewards: The New Testament also addresses the spiritual costs and rewards of faith. In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul speaks of counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ, recognizing the surpassing value of knowing Him. He writes, "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ" (Philippians 3:7).

Practical Applications

The biblical teachings on costs encourage believers to evaluate the sacrifices and commitments required in their spiritual journey. Whether it is the cost of discipleship, the giving of resources for God's work, or the personal sacrifices made in service to others, the Bible underscores the importance of intentional and wholehearted devotion to God. The principle of counting the cost serves as a reminder that true faith often involves significant personal investment and dedication.2600. chinnam -- out of favor
... out of favor NASB Word Usage free (1), nothing (4), useless (1), uselessly (1),
vain (2), which cost (1), which cost me nothing (1), which costs (1), which ...
/hebrew/2600.htm - 6k

How Eurycles Calumniated the Sons of Mariamne; and How Euaratus of ...
... CHAPTER 26. How Eurycles Calumniated The Sons Of Mariamne; And How Euaratus
Of Costs Apology For Them Had No Effect. 1. Now a little ...
/.../chapter 26 how eurycles calumniated.htm

One Way to Help Boys
... together, and, instead of forming them into a class, you get them into some little
hall and put upon every boy's head a little military cap that costs in our ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/iii one way to help.htm

Paul and his Praying
... Pauline gifts. Pauline praying is worth all it costs. Prayer which costs nothing
gets nothing. It is beggarly business at best. Paul's ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xiii paul and his praying.htm

Talkers and Talking
... one. Be careful not to give unsolicited advice. It has been well said that
advice which costs nothing is worth what it costs. If ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/talkers and talking.htm

Timeliness in Doing Good.
... It costs but little to speak kind words, but oh! ... I know of nothing that
costs so little to give that is so valuable to receive. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/timeliness in doing good.htm

September 7. "I Will Joy in the God of My Salvation" (Hab. Iii. 18 ...
... Now, this is what is meant"in part, at least"by the sacrifice of praise.
A sacrifice is that which costs us something. And when ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 7 i will joy.htm

Three Objections
... Can we look up into His eyes and say, "It costs them too much, Lord; it costs us
too much, to fully obey Thee in this"? ... But real conversion anywhere costs. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxxi three objections.htm

Restoration of Peter.
... There are many who when the alternative is laid before them in cold blood
choose without hesitation to abide with Christ at all costs. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxv restoration of peter.htm

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
... to him since. Hence, the attempt to follow the dictates of conscience always
costs an unregenerate man an effort. He is compelled ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the original and the actual.htm

Another Royal Procession
... Many do not give to Jesus so much in a year as it costs to clean their
shoes. Christ's cause costs them not half the hire of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/another royal procession.htm

Costs (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Costs (5 Occurrences). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most
costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY). ...
/c/costs.htm - 7k

Costly (26 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Costly (26 Occurrences). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most
costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY) ...
/c/costly.htm - 14k

Goes (472 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY BBE DBY NAS RSV). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he
goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY). ...
/g/goes.htm - 35k

Wrath (503 Occurrences)
... as the just, proper, and natural expression of His holiness and righteousness which
must always, under all circumstances, and at all costs be maintained. ...
/w/wrath.htm - 50k

Finding (57 Occurrences)
... none. (WEY). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away;
and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (See NAS RSV). ...
/f/finding.htm - 23k

Finds (71 Occurrences)
... ground. (WEY). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away;
and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY). Matthew ...
/f/finds.htm - 24k

Though (623 Occurrences)
... you: (BBE). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away;
and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY). Matthew ...
/t/though.htm - 36k

Recover (37 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To gain as a compensation; to obtain in return for injury or debt; as, to
recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at law; to ...
/r/recover.htm - 21k

Prize (13 Occurrences)
... Lightfoot); hence, the majority of modern expositors take the word in a passive
sense (= harpagma): "a thing to be seized, prized, retained at all costs as a ...
/p/prize.htm - 13k

Buys (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV). Matthew 13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes
away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. (WEY). ...
/b/buys.htm - 7k

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