I recently finished my latest book, Scripture Breakdowns: 12 Pivotal Verses Unpacked Line by Line, and wanted to share with you one of the scripture breakdowns…

Luke 14:28 (NIV)

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

Suppose One Of You

I love how Jesus calls out people here. Suppose one of you…He is pointing the finger, getting people to put themselves in this parable. Jesus always had and has a way of getting us to think and get real. I love how He immediately comes out and says, “One of you.” He is getting the people to think about their own life and how they should live. This isn’t just for your neighbor…it’s for you!

Wants To Build A Tower

Jesus could have referenced anything here. You could have said, “Build a house, build a chair, build a chariot, build a snowman.” But He chooses to use the example of a tower. Why a tower? Well, when I hear a tower, I immediately think about something high, tall, large, long-reaching, etc… I take this as Jesus saying if you’re going to build…build BIG. Go for the tower that is high and lofty. Jesus was always an all-out kind of guy, so the tower reference makes sense. I believe God has called you to live a life that is worthy of His power. A small wooden toy was not what Jesus was making an example of; He was giving a picture of the kind of dreaming and building He wants us to do, and that is impossible BIG God type stuff. Never underestimate your potential to build something incredible. 

Won’t You First Sit Down

The first step in planning your future and the things God wants to do in you is to sit down. Don’t just go, but sit down first. This means you have to take time to slow down and let God download His plans into you. You can’t rush out ahead without first taking time to sit down, pray, and think. Too many people are in such a hurry that they fail to spend time sitting with God and allowing Him to speak. So, in your big ambitions, first, sit down and allow God to direct you in the right things.

And Estimate The Cost

Make no mistake; God’s grandiose plans for your life will cost you. Salvation is free, but living a life of significance costs something. The greater the purpose, the greater the cost. Everyone will have to pay a price to live a life of significance. That price is different for everyone, but everyone must pay. In order for you to experience God’s power in your life, you’ll have to be willing to let go of the distractions. As my mentor Dr. John C. Maxwell, taught me…we have to give up in order to go up. Jesus warns us that to achieve greatness, we must estimate the cost.

To See If You Have Enough Money

Money wasn’t the literal object here; it is an example of something even greater. Having enough willingness to let go of whatever it is you possess to pay the price is the principle. This means do you have enough humility to pay the price? Do you have enough skill (that you have been using) to pay the price? Do you have enough faith to pay the price? Or maybe He is asking you to invest in His plans for your life financially. Again, whatever the cost is, you must pay it with what you have. God will never call you to something you can’t attain. If He has called you to it, He will see you through it if you will trust Him enough to do it.

To Complete It

God will bring you to completion. He is faithful to finish what He has started when you are willing to sit down and pay the price for His plans for your life. God wants nothing more than to use you and me to make a significant impact in this world. He will supernaturally give us the resources and provision when we step out for Him. He will complete the dreams and calling He has given you when you step out and trust Him all along the way. Never fear that you will miss it when God is leading you. He will never forsake you or leave you alone in your quest. Never forget His promises, no matter how abandoned you may feel. The provision of God will always resource the will of God. 

The book is available on Amazon Prime and on sale from $9.95 to $7.99 for a limited time. Check it out.