Lessons from Cars 4

Lesson 4: Counting the Cost

Cars are expensive. Even those you may buy at a bargain. Besides the price of the car itself, there are many other expenditures to consider when calculating the true cost of ownership. If you have to get a loan there is the interest to be paid. Then there is the annual insurance cost. After that there are the maintenance costs—oil changes, replacing worn tires, breaks, and burnt-out headlights. Then there is the cost of gasoline. And inevitably there will be the cost of repairs as the body begins to rust, the engine begins to lose power, and nicks and dents appear from occasional bumps with guard rails, fence posts and other cars in parking lots. So when buying a car, count the real cost.

The same is true in life. Everything costs. But not everything has value. We need to calculate the true cost of the decisions we make. For example someone may say, “I can’t go to university because it costs too much.” Education is costly, but what are the costs of not having an education? Its true value is beyond calculation. The same can be said of many other things—marriage, children, career and friendships. Likewise, the decision of whether or not to follow Christ should be considered carefully. It will cost you a lot to be a true follower, but it will cost you infinitely more to reject Him.

Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?