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Luke 14:28 - Counting the Cost.

Luke 14:28 (NLT) But dont begin until 
you count the cost. For who would begin 
construction of a building without first calculating the 
cost to see if there is enough money to finish 
it?  

INTRODUCTION

When a builder doesn't count the cost or 
estimates it inaccurately, the building may be left 
uncompleted. Will you abandon the Christian life after a 
little while because you did not count the cost of 
commitment to Jesus? What are those costs? Christians 
may face loss of social status or wealth. They 
may have to give up control of their money, 
their time, or their career. They may be hated, 
separated from their family, and even put to death. 
Following Christ does not mean a trouble-free life. We 
must carefully count the cost of becoming 
Christ's disciples so that we will firmly hold to our 
faith and won't be tempted later to turn back. 
[Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I gained a lot of weight when I first got 
married. A lot. From a svelte 130 pounds, I ballooned 
to a top weight of 207. I was heavier than I'd 
ever been in my life and was completely 
miserable. 
   After my eldest son, Pierce, was born, I 
decided I was willing to do anything to lose those 
extra pounds. I started walking on my treadmill 
and joined Weight Watchers. As a work-at-home 
new mom, I didn't have time to go to meetings, 
so I did the online version. The handy app 
tracked daily points and also provided nutritional 
value for the foods I considered eating. 
   With a swipe of my phone screen, I could 
quickly assess the benefit of having, say, an 
English muffin at 2 points versus a large blueberry 
muffin. Although that seemed healthy enough, it 
could be worth as much as a whopping 24 points - 
practically a whole day's worth of points! The 
difference was striking. 
   Spiritual choices are like that too. I 
can go with the easier, more appetizing, and 
self-indulgent choice, or I can weigh the cost, deny my 
initial impulse, and do that which is healthier, 
more nutritious, and ultimately more satisfying 
for my soul. 
   It took many months, much determination, 
and constant prayer, but I weigh 140 today. I 
still pause to count points and not just with my 
food. Weighing the value of each life decision 
over the other, I routinely ask Jesus for grace 
to make the better choice. Isabella 
Campolattaro 
   Faith Step: Whatever your temptation, ask 
Jesus for the grace to pause, count the cost, and 
make the better choice. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

   I remember hearing that "having kids is 
infinitely more demanding than you can anticipate but 
infinitely more rewarding too." Boy, this advice is so 
true and completely incomprehensible before 
having children. Having now had two kids, one with 
Down syndrome, I can testify that it's a costly 
undertaking in every way. Being a good parent means 
exuding more heart, sacrifices, emotional energy, 
and money than I could imagine, but reaping way 
more joy, satisfaction, and love than I could 
anticipate too. 
   There have been times in my twenty years 
of being a Christian when being a believer 
seemed very costly. I reluctantly confess that I've 
bristled or grieved at the rejections, difficult 
choices, or personal sacrifices my life as a 
Christian has required. Sometimes these challenges 
were hard even if I definitely felt motivated and 
empowered to meet them. On the other hand, I've had 
extraordinary experiences and rewards that I cannot 
quantify - and that's not even counting the promise 
of heaven! 
   Today's Scripture verse is one morsel of 
a speech in which Jesus shares a few parables 
to describe the cost of discipleship. Later, He 
says we must be willing to give up everything to 
follow Him. He urges us to count the cost of 
following Him. The price is worth every penny. 
Isabella Campolattaro 
   Faith Step: Make a list of what being a 
disciple of Jesus has cost you. For each item, list 
at least one of the extraordinary rewards you 
receive in exchange. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

   Right now my wife and my mother are 
decorating a birthday cake for my daughter. It's a 
pretty princess cake. When I peeked in earlier, 
they were getting everything ready, checking to 
be sure they had everything they needed.  
   The whole cake business seems pretty 
simple to me - you bake it, frost it, eat it. But 
apparently, to do the job right, there are steps, lots 
of steps. For instance, my wife just told me 
that a cake needs to cool down before it's 
decorated. Who knew? They aren't just putting some 
frosting on the cake and hoping for the best. They're 
being very methodical, thinking through each step. 
 
   That commitment to doing things right can 
be applied to all of us. Whether we're building 
or baking or rebooting our lives, we need to 
take the time to do the job right. It's important 
to make sure we are set up, ready to go, at 
each place in our lives before we move on to the 
next step.  
   Let's take a moment to stop and think 
about the process. What is it God wants to do in 
our lives next?  
   Heavenly Father, help me to be wise as I 
walk through the steps of my life. Show me how to 
prepare my heart for each step in its time. In 
Jesus' name, amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Commitments
   Do you ever say yes to things and then 
wish later with all of your heart that you had 
said no? Most of us do that until we learn to 
think through all we are already doing and what it 
will really require of us to take on another 
commitment. 
   None of us want to disappointment people 
who make requests of us, and that can be a good 
thing, but if it is carried too far, we end up 
frustrated, stressed, and unhappy ourselves. 
   I am doing an event in the near future 
that I said yes to but probably should have said 
no. because now I am not looking forward to it 
and I feel it is crowding my schedule. But it is 
my own fault. I will keep my word because that 
is very important, and I will have a good 
attitude, and hopefully, I will learn afresh the 
importance of saying no when I need to. 
   I encourage you to take the time to think 
through whether or not you have what it takes to 
finish something and maintain your peace before you 
begin it. Always keep your word, even if you have 
to suffer in order to do so. 
   Father, help me discern when to say yes 
and when to say no. I want to finish what I 
start and keep my peace at all times. [My Time 
with God by Joyce Meyer] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Luke 9:23 - Our Valentine to God.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220214-1126.html 

Luke 14:33 - Jesus Our All in All.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221113-1022.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/