Many of us have to-do lists. To have success with it, invariably we start at the top of the list and work down. Unless we are motivated, we may or may not finish the list in a day.
As we work the list, we consciously or unconsciously assess a cost and priority. That is the point I would like to meditate on today.
Success as a disciple
Jesus described the cost of discipleship in Luke 14. From a practical perspective, it is a to-do attitude more than anything. Verses 25-30 gives us these words from Jesus: 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 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? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
As Christians, we strive to follow Jesus all the time. It should not be just on Sunday. It should not be just when we are in a Bible study. We are disciples 24 x 7, at home and at work. Counting the cost of being a disciple requires that I assess whatever ‘to-do’ I am working on at that moment. Sometimes the cost will be high. I could lose business or a job, or a friend, when I have to choose to be a Christian or a disciple. Not everyone is comfortable with the Christian perspective.
Steadfast Commitment
My testimony of being ‘steadfastly committed to God’ starts with an internal, personal vow to always follow God — before thinking about anything else. I know and recognize there is a cost in having this perspective. As an example, years ago, I had a retail position in which I serviced pianos, and occasionally I helped pick them up when customers were selling their used piano.
We dutifully picked up a piano after the store had paid a ridiculously low amount for it. When it was examined by the expert at the store, it was found to be flawless, and easily worth 4-5 times more. Some may say ‘business is business’. One could argue, the lady did not have to sell it at such a low ball price. The reality was, her husband had just returned from being in hospital and she had huge medical bills. She was selling out of desperation and she needed money.
But again – business is business! But here is the issue. This was not a business demonstrating integrity. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. The owner professed to being a Christian, which should have required that he make righteous decisions. but :
- Was he honest about this sale? NO. He took advantage of a situation and never offered any more money, even after the assessment showed the piano was worth a lot more.
- Did he demonstrate moral principles in taking advantage of an older lady who really needed the help? NO.
- So, what did I do about it? I talked to the owner to see if he could pay her more since it was also not his fault that the customer’s descriptive assessment was wrong. Although he would have been able to sell the piano at a much higher cost within days, his assessment never changed. My discomfort over the absence of his full disclosure to the customer and his priority of putting business over morality caused me to seek different employment.
- Is it crazy to place more importance on the integrity of following God’s precepts rather than keeping a job? It hurt me financially, but it was a choice that helped me continue to follow God.
- Please understand, I am neither condemning that owner nor anyone else who chooses not to follow God and a path of strong integrity. His choice was simply a different decision about counting the cost. In Jesus’ parable, the one without consistency would not complete his tower. I do not have to judge. The result speaks for itself, and such a person will not remain a disciple of Christ for very long.
- When we are talking about discipleship, consistency, and integrity, it is easy to be misdirected. A distraction to the left or right will mean that the goal is not achieved or finished. It is too easy to start following our own path. When that happens, our ‘tower’ will not be built. Then, the next decision without integrity becomes easier to make. In no time, the lack of choice to follow the path of integrity leads us pretty far from the path we were on. As Jesus indicated, we have to be ready to count the cost and carry our cross (which means, sometimes we will suffer) because of the cost of our decision.
