| Luke 14:28 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” |
Anytime I see a TV commercial, internet ad or even a poster in the supermarket that says BUY 2 GET 3rd ITEM FREE, I often wonder, what is the actual cost. Is there a hidden fee or has there been an increase in the cost of the first two items for it to seem like you are getting the 3rd item free?
In life, there is always a cost or sacrifice. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he paid the ultimate cost. Even though we often hear that salvation is free. But it was not free. Jesus paid the price and covered the cost on our behalf. This teaches us that there is always a cost to consider, which is why He presented this question in today’s scripture.
In our work, we make commitments, especially when it is our mission to serve others. Even in those commitments, we need to consider all aspects and how much this will cost us. Cost is not always monetary. It could be our time away from our family or the amount of stress with extra hours, which can impact our mental and physical well-being. Did we figure in self-care time? Do we need added resources to help us? It is great that we love what we do and want to fulfill the purpose and complete the mission of building and supporting others. However, like a bank account, if we have an overdraft, there are fees to consider. Do you have enough in your reserves or overdraft protection to cover that extra cost?
This year, let us sit down and review the cost before we take on more than we can manage. Let’s consider the cost, and make sure we not only have enough to support the mission, but also a bit to retain in our reserves.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. You paid the cost for our lives and have shown us that there is a cost to consider. Grant us the wisdom and discernment to make the right commitments and weigh out the cost, so that we can carry them out to full completion as you have done. In Jesus name, Amen.
– Bridgette Wilson
