Luke 14:28 - "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
The parable of the man building a tower is a continuation of the teaching regarding what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus -- this parable stresses commitment. It takes a forsaking of all to be Jesus' disciple.
Jesus is simply saying, "count the cost." Just as a king wouldn't engage in war (verse 31) without thoroughly considering all the possible outcomes, so no one should attempt to become a disciple of Jesus without counting the cost. It would be better not to start following Jesus than to start and then turn back.
No one should be fearful of making a total commitment because of some imagined problem. There should be a willingness to forsake everything to follow Jesus. Once we make that decision, then Christ begins to live through us (Galatians 2:20) and we find a strength that is not our own.
The parable of the man building a tower is a continuation of the teaching regarding what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus -- this parable stresses commitment. It takes a forsaking of all to be Jesus' disciple.
Jesus is simply saying, "count the cost." Just as a king wouldn't engage in war (verse 31) without thoroughly considering all the possible outcomes, so no one should attempt to become a disciple of Jesus without counting the cost. It would be better not to start following Jesus than to start and then turn back.
No one should be fearful of making a total commitment because of some imagined problem. There should be a willingness to forsake everything to follow Jesus. Once we make that decision, then Christ begins to live through us (Galatians 2:20) and we find a strength that is not our own.