Jesus on Money (4) - Counting the Cost

Jesus warned his listeners to count the cost, before choosing to follow him. A king who goes into battle without working out if he has enough troops to win is stupid. He illustrated this choice with a reference to money and wealth.

So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned (Luke 14:33-34)?

This is radical stuff. The cost we have to count is real. To be a disciple of Jesus we must give up all our possessions. The Greek work for “give up” is “apossetai”. It means “renounce” or “say goodbye”. Those who follow Jesus must say goodbye to all their possession. They might still be close by, but they no longer belong to the believer. They belong to Jesus, so the Holy Spirit can use them as he wills.

That changes our question. We should not ask, “Can I buy a new television?” Rather we should be asking the Holy Spirit different questions.

What do you want to do the money in the bank account that has my name on it.?

What do you want to do with the wealth that used to belong to me?

If we asked these questions, we might be surprised at what the Sprit tells us to do. If we don’t ask these questions, we will be like salt that has lost its flavour. If we are not willing to say goodbye to our possessions, we cannot expect to influence our culture.