Faith is a free gift of God, but living a faithful life of wisdom will come at a cost—that will be rewarded. Jesus was speaking to a large crowd filled with all types of people, including the Pharisees and Sadducees. He spoke to the crowd telling them that the cost of being his disciple would be great.

Jesus told the crowd that becoming his disciples might mean:

—Bearing their own cross,

—Choosing him, even over their family members,

—And sacrificing their lives.

Then he told them to “count the cost” and decide whether they would be willing to spend whatever it took to follow him.

Many of us have grown up around people who encouraged us to walk with God. Typically, walking with Jesus hasn’t felt costly, especially because the blessings have far outweighed the cost. 

Wisdom is the truth of God and the truth about God. It is very possible that living in God’s wisdom will begin to come at a cost. People who insist on sharing their faith may lose a promotion or even a job in the future. People who share God’s wisdom may lose invitations, or even friends, if they speak biblical truth to others.

Before you build a tower that displays all you believe, first “sit down and count the cost.” You can also count the reward. Will there be people, even family members, who go to heaven because you stood firm in the wisdom of God’s word? Will the blessings of your life well exceed the costs of being a disciple of Christ?

Some people still lose their lives because of their faith in Christ Jesus and the wisdom of his word. When we count the cost, what are we willing to pay in order to share the wisdom of the gospel with the people we know?

Good advice and careful instruction provide wisdom. Jesus taught his disciples there would be a price to pay to walk with him. Is the wisdom of Christ worth the cost? Say yes and you will live your life for his eternal reward.