Financial Analysis in God's Kingdom

Last night I was reading this passage in Luke 14: 28-33 (NKJV):

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see 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, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

I was thinking about this in terms of my business background which the Lord uses so unexpectedly in my life! When I was part of analyzing a project, and we were talking about cost, one of the things I brought up was minimizing unnecessary costs, and removing obstacles which could cause additional expense.

It got me to thinking, and maybe this is a tangent, but it was important to me. In considering the cost of true discipleship we think of the big things and the accompanying rewards of Jesus. But I began thinking about the things that are hindering me, and forcing that cost up higher, things that have slowly crept in unnoticed that could even appear well and good, but that distract me from my true importance as God's woman. And while I don't have a complete list, I do have a number of items I plan on taking care of ASAP so they stop hindering me!

I don't want to be hindered in my walk with the Lord, if anything I want to be in the fast lane!

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2