Lesson 8: Why Every Christian Must Count the Cost
Jesus Christ never tried to gather careless followers by hiding the seriousness of discipleship.
He did not call people with false promises of an easy life.
He did not say following Him would cost nothing.
He did not invite people to add Him to a self-centered life while keeping everything else unchanged.
He told people to count the cost.
Luke 14:28 says:
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
— Luke 14:28, KJV
That is the heart of this lesson.
A person should not claim to follow Jesus Christ lightly.
Discipleship is not a temporary emotion.
It is not a religious phase.
It is not a moment of excitement that disappears when life becomes hard.
It is not saying Christian words while still reserving the right to turn back when the cost becomes uncomfortable.
Jesus is worthy of more than shallow commitment.
Every Christian must count the cost.
Jesus Spoke This Way to Great Multitudes
The words of Jesus in Luke 14 were not spoken to a small group of enemies. They were spoken when many people were following Him outwardly.
Luke 14:25 says:
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,”
— Luke 14:25, KJV
Great multitudes were with Him.
Many preachers today might have softened the message at that moment. They might have said, “Look how many people are coming. Do not say anything too hard. Do not make them uncomfortable. Do not talk about cost. Keep the crowd large.”
But Jesus turned and spoke plainly.
He was not interested in attracting crowds who did not understand what following Him meant.
He did not lower the call to keep the multitude.
This should make us sober.
A crowd around Jesus is not the same as true discipleship.
Many people may be interested in Jesus for a season. Some may like His miracles. Some may like His kindness. Some may like religious excitement. Some may like the idea of forgiveness. Some may like being around spiritual things.
But Jesus knows the difference between a crowd and a disciple.
He turned to the multitude and told them the cost.
Counting the Cost Is Not Earning Salvation
Counting the cost does not mean you earn salvation by sacrifice.
No sinner is saved by giving up enough things.
No sinner is saved by suffering enough.
No sinner is saved by proving himself worthy.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
But the grace that saves a person brings him under the Lordship of Christ.
Counting the cost means understanding that Jesus does not call you to a pretend faith.
He does not call you to follow only when it is convenient.
He does not call you to love Him only as long as nothing else is challenged.
He does not call you to hold on to sin, self, and the world while merely adding Christian language to your life.
Counting the cost means you understand that Christ is Lord, and following Him will challenge every rival claim over your heart.
The question is not, “Can I pay for my salvation?”
You cannot.
The question is, “Do I understand that the Jesus who saves sinners also calls them to follow Him?”
A person who wants forgiveness without Christ’s rule has not understood the call of the Lord.
Jesus Must Be Loved Above All
Jesus said in Luke 14:26:
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also,
he cannot be my disciple.”
— Luke 14:26, KJV
This is strong language.
Jesus was not commanding sinful hatred of family. The Bible commands love, honor, kindness, and faithfulness in our relationships.
The point is comparison.
Our love for Jesus Christ must be so supreme that every other love is beneath it.
No family member can take His place.
No human relationship can rule above Him.
No earthly affection can become lord over the disciple.
Even your own life must not be loved more than Christ.
Matthew 10:37 says it this way:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:
and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
— Matthew 10:37, KJV
The issue is supreme love.
Jesus Christ must be first.
If family approves, follow Jesus.
If family misunderstands, follow Jesus.
If people close to you pressure you to compromise, follow Jesus.
If obedience to Christ brings tension, follow Jesus.
This does not give anyone permission to be harsh, proud, or dishonoring. But it does mean no human relationship can outrank the Lord.
The disciple must count that cost.
Following Jesus May Cost Approval
Many people want to follow Jesus as long as everyone approves.
They want faith without rejection.
Truth without opposition.
Holiness without misunderstanding.
The cross without shame.
But Jesus warned His followers that the world would not always receive them.
John 15:19 says:
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.”
— John 15:19, KJV
A disciple should not be surprised when the world dislikes the way of Christ.
The world may tolerate a harmless religious image of Jesus, but it resists the real Lord Jesus Christ.
It resists His authority.
It resists His call to repentance.
It resists His commands.
It resists His holiness.
It resists His claim to be the only way to the Father.
If you follow Jesus, some people may not understand you. Some may mock you. Some may call you extreme. Some may think you changed too much. Some may not want to hear about sin, judgment, repentance, holiness, or eternity.
Count the cost.
Do not follow Jesus only as long as it keeps you popular.
The approval of man is too small a reward to trade for faithfulness to Christ.
Following Jesus May Cost Comfort
Some people want a Christianity that never disturbs their comfort.
They want the Lord to bless their plans, protect their ease, and never ask them to do anything difficult.
But Jesus did not promise that discipleship would be comfortable.
Matthew 8:20 says:
“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
— Matthew 8:20, KJV
Jesus said this to a man who claimed he would follow Him wherever He went.
The Lord was making the man think seriously.
Following Jesus is not about personal comfort.
A disciple may have to lose ease.
He may have to endure hardship.
He may have to serve when tired.
He may have to obey when inconvenient.
He may have to give when it stretches him.
He may have to stand when he would rather hide.
He may have to forgive when pride wants revenge.
He may have to say no to pleasures that others enjoy.
He may have to walk a narrow road.
Comfort is not the disciple’s master.
Jesus is.
Following Jesus May Cost Possessions
Jesus said in Luke 14:33:
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,
he cannot be my disciple.”
— Luke 14:33, KJV
This verse must be taken seriously.
It does not mean every disciple will be commanded to give away every possession at the same moment. But it does mean the disciple must hold everything under the authority of Christ.
Nothing may be kept above Him.
Not money.
Not property.
Not plans.
Not career.
Not reputation.
Not comfort.
Not earthly security.
If Christ requires something, the disciple must not cling to it as lord.
Possessions are dangerous when they possess the heart.
The rich young ruler is a warning. He had religion, morality, and interest in eternal life, but when Jesus touched his possessions, he went away sorrowful.
Mark 10:22 says:
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
— Mark 10:22, KJV
His possessions revealed his heart.
Counting the cost means asking:
“If Jesus requires this, will I release it?”
That question searches deeply.
Following Jesus May Cost Old Dreams
Many people have plans for their lives before they seriously follow Christ.
They have dreams, goals, ambitions, and personal ideas about what life should become.
Some of those things may not be sinful. But every dream must come under the Lord.
James 4:14–15 says:
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
— James 4:14–15, KJV
The disciple learns to say:
“If the Lord will.”
That is not a religious phrase only. It is a surrendered view of life.
Your life is a vapour.
Your plans are not absolute.
Your future belongs to God.
Following Jesus may redirect your ambitions. It may change your priorities. It may close doors you once wanted open. It may lead you into service you never expected. It may require you to value eternal fruit more than earthly success.
Count the cost.
Christ has the right to redirect your life.
Following Jesus May Cost Sinful Pleasures
This world offers pleasures that appeal to the flesh.
Some are openly sinful.
Some are subtle.
Some feel enjoyable for a season.
But a disciple must understand that sin’s pleasure is temporary and deadly.
Hebrews 11:24–26 says of Moses:
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt…”
— Hebrews 11:24–26, KJV
Moses made a choice.
He refused the treasures of Egypt.
He refused the pleasures of sin for a season.
He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches.
That is counting the cost.
Sin may offer pleasure, but only for a season.
Christ offers eternal riches.
A disciple must be willing to lose sinful pleasure because he sees that Christ is worth more.
Do not measure the cost only by what you give up.
Measure it by what you gain in Christ.
Following Jesus May Cost an Easy Path
The way of the disciple is not the broad road.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13–14:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.”
— Matthew 7:13–14, KJV
The broad way is crowded.
It is easier to walk with the crowd.
It is easier to say what everyone wants to hear.
It is easier to approve what culture approves.
It is easier to laugh at sin than to stand against it.
It is easier to follow the flesh than to deny it.
But the broad way leads to destruction.
The narrow way leads to life.
A disciple must count the cost of leaving the broad road.
Do not be surprised if the path of Christ feels narrow.
Jesus said it would.
Following Jesus May Bring Persecution
Some people teach as though true faith removes all suffering. The Bible teaches otherwise.
2 Timothy 3:12 says:
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12, KJV
That is plain.
Godly living in Christ Jesus brings opposition.
Not every believer suffers in the same way. Not every season is equally difficult. But the disciple should not think persecution is strange.
If you live openly for Christ, some will oppose you.
If you speak truth, some will resist.
If you refuse compromise, some will dislike you.
If you leave sin, some may mock you.
If you warn about judgment, some may call you unloving.
If you hold to Scripture, some may call you narrow.
Count the cost.
Do not build your faith on the expectation that everyone will like you.
God did not call you to be liked by the world.
He called you to be faithful to Christ.
Counting the Cost Protects Against Shallow Beginnings
Jesus gave a picture of a man building a tower.
Luke 14:28–30 says:
“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.”
— Luke 14:28–30, KJV
The issue is beginning without considering what is required.
Many people start spiritually with excitement, but they do not continue.
They are moved by a sermon.
Moved by fear.
Moved by emotion.
Moved by a moment.
Moved by a crowd.
But when following Jesus requires endurance, they turn back.
Jesus warned against shallow beginnings.
Do not begin like someone who starts building and never finishes.
Do not make a quick religious claim without understanding that following Christ is a lifelong path.
Count the cost now.
Counting the Cost Protects Against Divided Loyalty
Jesus also gave a picture of a king going to war.
Luke 14:31 says:
“Or what king, going to make war against another king,
sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand
to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”
— Luke 14:31, KJV
A king must think seriously before entering battle.
Discipleship is serious.
There is spiritual conflict.
There are enemies of the soul.
There is the world, the flesh, and the devil.
There is pressure to turn back.
There are temptations to compromise.
There are fears that try to rule.
There are distractions that try to pull the heart away.
A divided heart will not stand well.
Counting the cost helps a disciple understand:
“I cannot follow Jesus and keep loyalty to sin.”
“I cannot follow Jesus and keep the world as my treasure.”
“I cannot follow Jesus and keep self as king.”
Christ must have the highest loyalty.
Counting the Cost Is Different From Counting Yourself Able
This is important.
Counting the cost does not mean deciding whether you are strong enough in yourself.
No disciple is strong enough in himself.
Jesus said:
“…for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:5, KJV
Counting the cost means you understand the seriousness of the call.
It does not mean you boast in your own strength.
The disciple does not say:
“I am strong enough to follow Jesus.”
He says:
“Jesus is worthy, and I must depend on Him.”
Counting the cost should make you humble.
It should make you prayerful.
It should make you serious.
It should make you stop trusting shallow emotion.
It should make you cling to Christ.
You are not able in yourself.
But Christ is able to keep and strengthen those who belong to Him.
Counting the Cost Means Christ Is Worth More
The cost of following Jesus is real.
But the worth of Jesus is greater.
Philippians 3:7–8 says:
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…”
— Philippians 3:7–8, KJV
Paul counted.
He counted what had once been gain.
He counted it loss for Christ.
Why?
Because he saw the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.
This is the heart of counting the cost.
It is not only asking, “What might I lose?”
It is seeing clearly, “Christ is worth more.”
More than reputation.
More than comfort.
More than sin.
More than possessions.
More than human approval.
More than earthly success.
More than life itself.
The person who only sees what he may lose has not yet seen enough of Christ’s worth.
When Jesus becomes precious, the cost becomes worth it.
Counting the Cost Reveals False Motives
Some people come to Jesus for the wrong reasons.
They want a better life.
They want relief from problems.
They want blessings.
They want social connection.
They want emotional comfort.
They want a religious identity.
They want escape from hell, but not submission to Christ.
Counting the cost exposes false motives.
When Jesus says He must be loved above all, the heart is tested.
When He says to bear the cross, the heart is tested.
When He says to forsake all, the heart is tested.
When obedience costs, the heart is tested.
John 6:66 says:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
— John 6:66, KJV
Many went back.
They were called disciples in an outward sense, but they did not continue.
Then Jesus asked the twelve:
“Will ye also go away?”
— John 6:67, KJV
Peter answered:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
— John 6:68, KJV
That is the heart of a true disciple.
Where else can we go?
Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Counting the Cost Helps You Endure Later
If a person expects following Jesus to cost nothing, he may be offended when hardship comes.
He may say:
“I did not know it would be this hard.”
“I thought everyone would support me.”
“I thought temptation would disappear.”
“I thought people would understand.”
“I thought God would make everything easy.”
But the person who has counted the cost is not as easily shaken.
He already knows that following Christ may cost him.
He knows hardship does not mean Jesus lied.
He knows rejection does not mean he chose wrongly.
He knows persecution does not mean God has failed.
He knows the narrow road is still the right road.
Acts 14:22 says:
“…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 14:22, KJV
The disciples were strengthened by honest truth.
They were not promised a trouble-free path.
They were prepared for endurance.
Counting the cost helps the disciple continue when the path becomes hard.
Counting the Cost Does Not Mean Delaying Obedience
Some people may misunderstand this lesson and say:
“I need more time to count the cost before I obey Jesus.”
But counting the cost is not an excuse to delay repentance, faith, or obedience.
If Jesus is calling, do not postpone because you want more time to enjoy sin.
Do not use “I am counting the cost” as a way to avoid surrender.
The cost should make you serious, not slow to obey.
When Christ calls, the right response is not endless delay.
Matthew 4:20 says of Peter and Andrew:
“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
— Matthew 4:20, KJV
They followed.
Counting the cost means you are not entering lightly. It does not mean you refuse to enter.
Do not confuse seriousness with procrastination.
If God is dealing with your heart, respond.
The Cost of Not Following Jesus Is Greater
People often think only about the cost of following Jesus.
But what about the cost of not following Him?
What does it cost to keep sin?
What does it cost to gain the world and lose the soul?
What does it cost to reject the Saviour?
What does it cost to live for temporary pleasure and face eternal judgment?
Jesus said in Mark 8:36:
“For what shall it profit a man,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36, KJV
That question should stop every person.
What profit is the whole world if the soul is lost?
The world can offer pleasure, success, approval, money, entertainment, and reputation. But none of it can save the soul.
If a man keeps everything but loses his soul, he has lost everything.
Following Jesus costs.
But not following Him costs far more.
Jesus Is Worth the Cost
The greatest reason to count the cost is not to scare people away from Christ.
It is to show them clearly that Christ is worth everything.
Matthew 13:44 says:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;
the which when a man hath found, he hideth,
and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
— Matthew 13:44, KJV
The man sold all, but he did it for joy.
Why?
Because he had found treasure.
This is not a picture of earning salvation by purchase. It is a picture of value.
When a person sees the worth of the kingdom, the cost is not viewed the same way.
Jesus Christ is the treasure.
Forgiveness in Him is treasure.
Eternal life in Him is treasure.
Knowing God through Him is treasure.
Being delivered from sin is treasure.
Having hope beyond death is treasure.
Belonging to Him is treasure.
If you see Christ as small, the cost will look too great.
If you see Christ rightly, you will know He is worth more than all.
Do Not Follow Jesus Casually
This is a serious lesson.
Do not follow Jesus casually.
Do not make a shallow profession.
Do not join the crowd only because it feels exciting.
Do not speak Christian words while keeping your true loyalty elsewhere.
Do not claim Christ while reserving the right to abandon Him when obedience costs.
Do not build a temporary faith that collapses under pressure.
Sit down and count the cost.
Jesus must be loved above all.
The cross must be borne.
Possessions must be held loosely.
Human approval must not rule you.
Sinful pleasures must be rejected.
The narrow way must be chosen.
Persecution must not surprise you.
Christ must be worth more than everything else.
That is not popular, but it is true.
What Counting the Cost Looks Like Practically
Counting the cost may sound like this:
“Lord Jesus, I understand that following You is serious.”
“I understand that You must come before every relationship.”
“I understand that I cannot keep sin as my master.”
“I understand that the world may not approve.”
“I understand that obedience may cost comfort.”
“I understand that my plans must bow before You.”
“I understand that I cannot serve two masters.”
“I understand that You are worth more than everything I may lose.”
This is not a one-time emotional statement.
It is a sober recognition of what discipleship means.
A disciple counts the cost and says:
“Jesus Christ is worthy.”
Discipleship Questions
- Why do you think Jesus spoke about the cost of discipleship when great multitudes were following Him?
- What is the difference between a crowd around Jesus and a true disciple of Jesus?
- What might following Jesus cost you personally: approval, comfort, possessions, plans, pleasures, or something else?
- Why is the cost of not following Jesus greater than the cost of following Him?
- How does seeing the worth of Christ change the way you view the cost?
Closing Exhortation
Every Christian must count the cost.
Do not follow Jesus lightly.
Do not make a shallow profession.
Do not expect the narrow way to feel like the broad road.
Do not expect the world to honor what it hated in Christ.
Do not love comfort, possessions, approval, or even your own life more than the Lord.
Jesus Christ is worthy.
He is worth more than the praise of man.
He is worth more than the pleasures of sin.
He is worth more than earthly treasure.
He is worth more than temporary comfort.
He is worth more than the whole world.
Count the cost.
Then see the greater truth:
Christ is worth the cost.
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…”
— Philippians 3:8, KJV
A Prayer to Count the Cost
Lord Jesus Christ, help me count the cost honestly.
Do not let me follow You lightly, casually, or only when it is easy.
Show me any rival love that wants to rule above You. Show me anything I am afraid to lose. Show me any comfort, approval, possession, plan, or sinful pleasure that has too much power over my heart.
Help me see that You are worth more.
Give me courage to follow You when it costs. Give me faith to choose the narrow way. Give me strength to continue when others turn back.
I do not want shallow religion.
I want to be Your disciple.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next Step
Before moving to the next lesson, take time to answer this honestly:
“What would be hardest for me to lose if following Jesus required it?”
Bring that answer before God.
Do not hide it.
Ask Him to help you see Jesus Christ as more precious than whatever you fear losing.
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