Reflections

Calculating The Cost

We hear a lot about calculating the cost of discipleship, but how many people actually sit down and do exactly that …. calculate the cost.

We certainly do our calculations if we’re paying a visit to the bank manager for a loan. We certainly start calculating if we’re down to small change and there are two long weeks left to pay day. Today Jesus tells us that calculating the cost of discipleship should be no different. “For which of you intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?”

Discipleship means different things to do different people at different stages in their lives. Discipleship might mean deciding how best to use our gifts to help people at home and in the work place. Discipleship might mean coming up with a plan to transform a  local community or some kind of global project. Whatever our vision we will need to sit down and plan it. Inevitably this will   involve personal cost and if we don’t calculate that cost, we are setting ourselves up to fail before we have begun. Will we be able to  accomplish our plans alone or will we need help? How will we make time to achieve our goals and will this involve an element of sacrifice? Do we have enough money to realise our ideas or will we need to  fundraise? Do we have the necessary skills or will we have to step out of our comfort zones in order to learn something new?

In today’s gospel Jesus says, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship is demanding.  Jesus is looking for a full-time commitment. Discipleship is not something that can be slotted easily and comfortable into our existing life styles. Discipleship involves cost, and   today’s invitation is to sit down and calculate whether that cost is within our means