"Count the Cost"

 "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" (Ecclesiastes 3:9 KJV)

  ""But don't 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? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!"" (Luke 14:28-30 NLT)

 Without even thinking, we sometimes step out into something, not really knowing what or how it is all going to turn out; and when we get into trouble, we call out to God, saying, "LORD, please help!" Don't think it isn't so, because we really don't even think about it, especially when it involves us doing things that we are outside of church or ministry. 

 And no, this is not me changing the subject! With everything we do, from the smallest task or adventure to the ones that we think are well planned, we are always in a battle to win the race! We could look at this Scripture from Luke, as if Jesus is actually talking about money, but that wouldn't count if the cost if it was about a race to win, or even if it was a ministry you begin; it is always about what is lost! 

 In this life, which is based upon things that are obtained and bought and stored up and put to use, there is nothing we have that is more important than the eternal life that we have been given! It is always about being prepared for whatever! 

 If it involves this life, anything is on the table, and everything is the cost! That doesn't count, unless you count it and know it isn't yours to begin with; but as soon as you think it is yours, you will be like the Rich Young Ruler, feeling the as though you can't let it go...

 ""Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 

 "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"" (Luke 14:31-35 NLT)