Cost-Benefit Analysis

In most things that we do in life, we compare how much it will cost with how much we will gain from it. When we purchase something, it is because we have decided that it is worth the cost. When we choose not to purchase something, it is often because we have determined the cost is too high. We often use this way of reasoning in many aspects of our lives. Choosing to follow Christ is no different. There are costs and there are benefits, and we must each choose whether serving the Lord is worth it.

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. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 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. 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? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26-33 (KJV)

Christ speaks plainly here: we must be prepared to give up all that we have in this life, even our own families if necessary. Sometimes one's family members are unwilling to accept one's faith and Christian obedience. We must count the cost and determine if it is worth it. Christ tells us that such a sacrifice, if necessary, is well worth it. In Mark 10:29-30, we are told that if we must give up our physical, earthly relatives, we gain a great number of brothers and sisters in Christ. Indeed, in choosing to follow Christ, we greatly increase our family. Similarly, we may lose some of our friends and acquaintances. (I Peter 4:3-5) We must each consider whether the benefits outweigh that cost.

One of the costs of following Christ is that we must stop living self. We must give up sin, we must give up self-will, and we must be willing to give up our pride and submit to the Lord's way.
Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

I Corinthians 15:34 (KJV)

And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done."

Luke 22:41-42 (KJV)

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:6-10 (KJV)

We must weigh the costs of following the Lord. But we must also weigh the benefits. One of the benefits of living for Christ is a degree of comfort and fearlessness in this life. We live in a time where many wish they could have some comfort, for a great many reasons. In Christ, there is great comfort and peace. Paul writes to the church in Philippi that the peace of Christ goes beyond what we can understand (Philippians 4:7).

In order to receive the comfort offered in Christ, we must first be in Christ (I Peter 5:14). If we are not in Christ, then we do not have the peace and comfort which He offers. Being in Christ requires having come to faith and obedience (Galatians 3:27).

Part of this comfort offered by Christ is in knowing that the Lord cares for you (I Peter 5:7). In Matthew 6:24-34, Christ makes a promise to those who follow Him. That they will be taken care of and provided for. Now, notice that this passage does not say that His disciples will be wealthy or well off. Nor does He say that they will be of good health. Nor does He say that nothing bad will occur in their life. The only promise made is that we will have what we need for as long as we need it. While a far cry from the “gospel of health and wealth” that many advocate, it is nonetheless a comforting thought.

Part of the comfort offered by Christ is knowing that there are others who obey Christ who will be there to help us and work with us in the Lord's service (II Corinthians 7:6). As in all things, it is comforting to know that others are with us. More importantly, we have the promise that God is with us (Matthew 18:20). The Lord who will strengthen us is always with us, if we live in faith and obedience (Philippians 4:13).

Among other benefits, the greatest is that of the hope of eternal life. It would be hard to find a cost that would outweigh such a gain. Anything that may occur in this life, even this life itself, is temporary and will pass. What the Lord promises those who follow Him is an unending life of peace and joy in the very presence of God.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:22:23 (KJV)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 21:1-7 (KJV)