How much?

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?  (Luke 14:28)

In a recent Newsweek, Ezra Klein’s article“How Much Does a Gallon of Gas Cost?” (June 21, 2010 issue).  points out something that has been on my mind for years; that is the true cost verses the price we pay.  According to the article, economists call this “externality”, a cost “. . . that is not paid by the people using the good that creates the cost.” 

For instance, during the health care debate, much discussion was given to how much this will cost.  Very few voices were asking what true cost is accrued when more and more members of society are without health insurance.  Though “clean coal” is promoted, perhaps the mine accident earlier this year is a helpful reminder that coal comes with a cost, clean or not.  And though BP has set aside millions of dollars, the true cost of our attachment to fossil fuels goes far beyond any dollar amount.  We’ve gotten away with not counting the cost for years.  And it’s catching up to us.  Polluted air, increased incidents of asthma, a changing climate, polar bears drowning for lack of ice, and habitat degridation are just some of the externals that are catching up to us.    

Jesus warns us to not begin an enterprise before counting the cost.  The verses surrounding the one given above make it fairly clear.  Before you begin building a tower, count the cost.  Before you go to war, do the math.  Before you become one of my followers, be clear about what it will cost. 

Jesus uses what seem to be very harsh words.  “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”  (Verse 25)  Ultimate loyalty is what Jesus is calling us to, and all other loyalties come in last.  Accepting Jesus means rejecting all other claims to our devotion.

 In part we can explain this away because in the ancient world there were no second-place winners.  Either something is first, or it is last; no in between.  Either something or someone is loved, or it is hated.  Our view of the world, in which we can have several things to which we are devoted, does not work in Jesus’ understanding of things.  He invites us to a costly decision.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is well-known for his concerns about cheap grace.  To paraphrase him, grace may be free, but it is not cheap.  The freely given love of God calls us to newness: new priorities, new community, and new ways of living, to name only a few.  If we choose to respond to the grace of God, it will cost us something. 

There’s the flip-side question, too.  What’s the cost of not changing?  More pollution?  More oil-soaked brown pelicans?  What’s the cost of not accepting Jesus’ invitation to be a disciple?  What blessings do we miss if we keep going our merry way?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like it when Jesus’ words sound demanding!  I want faith to be comfortable and comforting.  I want to follow Jesus up to the point where he starts asking me to give what I want to keep.  I want to be able to determine what I will “pay” to be a disciple.  Actual cost begins to sound like too much. 

As much as you and I may struggle with this issue of true cost, I am equally convinced that true discipleship is worth it.  If being a disciple is costly, knowing the freely given love of God is of greater value.  Being forgiven is priceless.  Being a part of Christ’s work in the world is a value that cannot be measured.  What comes to us as a result of our choosing to follow Jesus makes the choice worth whatever it costs.  Though Jesus suggests we count the cost, he also invites us to a life in him that is abundant, filled to overflowing with goodness.

Peace for the Journey!