By Ladi Ayodeji
Calvary greetings to all my old and new readers in Jesus’ name. I hope this meets you in fine fettle. Amen.
It’s been a long while since I wrote my last column, WORD POWER, which used to be published occasionally on this platform.
I want to thank my friend and brother, Gbenga Osinaike, publisher of ChurchTimes, who graciously gave me this opportunity to promote the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on his great portal. God bless you, sir.
After the hiatus, I have now returned to base with a new concept, SERMON on the MOUNT, which reflects the new direction and focus of this message series.
This new edition of my ministrations will be broader and more relevant to readers. It also provides an opportunity for readers to make prayer requests and seek one-on-one counselling through my WhatsApp and phone contacts.
You may also reach me by phone or visit me in person at Obey’s Prayer Mountain, Keesi, Itoko, Abeokuta South LGA, Ogun State, where my team and I will be ministering every last Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Glory to God! Hallelujah.
Now, here we go again.
This topic, Counting the Cost, was inspired by a passage from a comment Jesus made in Luke 14:28–30:
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
For years, this passage has always fascinated me. I have reflected on it, studied it, and analysed it because of its manifold relevance to many of life’s daunting circumstances and existential challenges.
What should not be lost in this passage is the point that Jesus was teaching on discipleship and what is required of those who want to follow Him. The core issue of total commitment is what is being taught here. Jesus, the Master, is giving us an insight into what it takes to be a disciple.
He was speaking in a different context from the one we are dealing with here, but the title, Counting the Cost, gives us the leverage to view the topic from a deeper and broader perspective.
Anything we intend to do in life should be viewed holistically. That, for me, is the central idea of this teaching.
In other words, we should be careful to count the cost of any project before we embark on it, so that we do not end up with an abandoned project.
This is my greatest takeaway from this passage in Luke 14:28–30.
The beauty of it is that it is applicable to all areas of life. Jesus Himself mentioned areas like building and war. In everything you do, it is advisable to first count the cost before you throw your hat into the ring. Most people rarely do that, which is why they fail. Most times, people use their hearts instead of their heads in dealing with matters that require careful planning before they hit the ground running.
There’s a popular saying: “If you don’t plan to succeed, you have planned to fail.” That’s a fact of life that nobody can dispute. Lack of thorough planning is the bane of most abandoned projects.
In counting the cost, you must also plan for hikes in costs due to inflation, uncertainties arising from environmental issues, economic contractions, natural disasters, and the like.
Count the cost. Check how feasible, realistic, viable, and attainable the venture is, so that it does not end up as a misadventure. This applies to business, political contests, marriage, travel, building any kind of structure, relationships, and even lifestyle choices.
None of these should ever be surrendered to faith, luck, or chance. That, in summary, is what Jesus is saying in this great passage, Luke 14:28–35.
Pastor Ladi Ayodeji,Speaker, Counselor, and Author, can be reached on 09059243004(WhatsApp).
