Count the cost, but is it really that high?

Luke 14:28,33 KJV

[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

[33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Count the cost. It seems expensive when you are doing the counting, before starting to be a disciple of Jesus. But as you follow the Lord, and start paying the cost, you realize it was not as high as you projected it to be. For example, one cost could be the loss of “friends.” But after losing them, you might realize they were not really friends at all, and you do not miss them as much as you thought you would. This has been

the experience of many. However, doctrine must not be determined by experiences. Yet the Scripture confirms this.

Philippians 3:7-8 KJV

[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Paul considered the cost of following Christ as dung.