Count The Cost

Some of the best things in life come with a price we must pay. Usually short-term benefits must be sacrificed to realize the long-term goal. In the summer of 1966 Marilyn and I began a term of service in Nigeria with the Teachers Abroad Program (TAP). Still in our first year of marriage, fresh out of college and full of idealism fueled by the Vietnam War, we chose to go to Nigeria leaving everything behind except what we could carry in our luggage and a fifty-five gallon drum. It was a life-changing experience and well worth every price we paid to serve in this way.

Past Issues "But don't begin until you count the cost."Jesus Luke 14:28 NLT

Jesus Teaching Jesus talked about counting the cost in Luke 14. He used the examples of someone planning to build a house and a king preparing to go to war against another king with an army twice the size of his own. Jesus said that if we do not count the cost or consider the price we will need to pay, we may give up when the short-term cost begins to confront us. Athletes Athletes in training know well the pain and suffering their bodies must go through to compete at their best. As their success increases, the level of sacrifice placed on their body increases as well. Consider When you want to realize a long term goal, carefully consider the cost required. Otherwise short-term prices may sabotage your long-term achievements. What long-term goals do you have that will be difficult to achieve? What are the prices you will need to pay? Who else in your circle of relationships will need to pay a price? Remember Count the cost before you 'start to build' or 'go to war'. Otherwise you may only 'lay the foundation' before you run out of money, or you may 'go to war' and throw up the flag of surrender before victory is achieved. May power of the Holy Spirit enable you to achieve amazing goals for the glory of God. Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM Find more troyercoaching eNews articles here.