Jesus was demanding we give up all we have

JESUS WAS DEMANDING WE GIVE UP ALL WE HAVE
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Luke 14:31-33 31"Orsupposea king is about to go to
war againstanother king. Won'the first sit down and
considerwhether he is able with ten thousandmen to
opposethe one coming againsthim with twenty
thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation
while the other is still a long way off and will ask for
terms of peace. 33In the same way, those of you who
do not give up everything you have cannot be my
disciples.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Biblical Illustrator
Or what king, going to make war.
Luke 14:31, 32
Considerbefore you fight
C. H. Spurgeon.

I. First, then, THERE ARE SOME HERE WHO ARE NOT THE FRIENDS
OF GOD, and in this case he that is not with Him is againstHim. If you could
have what you wish there would be no God. If it were in your power you
would never trouble yourself again with thoughts of Him. You would like to
live, you say, as you list, and I know how you would list to live. It would be
anyhow, rather than as God commands. Now, as you are engagedin
antagonismwith Him, just think awhile — Can you expect to succeed?Let me
put a few things before you which may, perhaps, make you think the conflict
too unequal, and thus lead you to abandon the thought at once. Think of
God's stupendous power! What is there which He cannot do? Think, again, O
rebellious man, you have to deal not only with almighty, but with an ever-
encompassing power. Think, again, how much you are personally in His hand!
It is well also to remember the mighty army of the Lord of hosts, and that you
live amidst the creatures ofGod, who all are ready to do His bidding.
Remember, moreover, what is the extent of God's wisdom, and that His
foolishness is greaterthan your highestknowledge. Yet there is another
matter I want you to recollect, youthat are the enemies of God — that you
have a conscience. Youhave not gotrid of it yet. It is not put out; and God has
ways of making it to become a terrible plague to you, if you do not acceptit as
a friend. One other reflection, for I must not keepyou thinking on this point
long — it is this. Remember you must die, and therefore it is a pity to be at
enmity with God. Here is this, too, to think of, there is a future state, so that
when you die you have to live again. I should not choose to enter upon the
realm of spirits without having Godto be my friend. Besides, letme say, you
cannot hope to succeed, allexperience is againstyou; there never was one yet
that, either in this state or the next, has fought with God and conquered.
II. And now we turn the subject, so as to look at THE SECOND CONTEST,
IN WHICH I TRUST MANY ARE ANXIOUS TO BE ENGAGED, Some
young spirit that has been touched with a sense ofits own condition, and
somewhataroused, may be saying, "I will be God's enemy no longer; I will be
His friend." Bowing the knee, that heart cries, "Oh God, reconcile me unto
Thyself by the death of Thy dear Son. I throw down all my weapons;I confess
my guilt; I plead for mercy. ForJesus'sake vouchsafeit to me." "But," says
that soul, "if I am the friend of God, I must be the foe of Satan, and from this

day I pledge myself to fight for everwith Satan till I get the victory, and am
free from sin." My dear friend, I want you to stop. I do not wish you to make
peace with the evil one, but I want you to consider what you are at. There are
a few things I would whisperin your ear, and one is, that sin is sweet.
Remember, again, you may be enticed by friends who will be very pressing.
You can give up sin just now, but you do not know who may be the tempter at
some future time. If she should allure thee, who has tempted so well before!
Then again, remember, man, there is habit. You say you will all of a sudden
give up your sins and fight Satan. Do not tell me that; can the Ethiopian
change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Again, you think you will give up
sin, but ridicule is very unpleasant, and when the tinges comes to be pointed at
you, and they say, "Ah, so you have setup for a saint, I see";when they put it
as they only can put it, in such a sharp, cutting, grating manner, can you stand
that! And yet further, let me sayto you, you that are for going to heaven so
zealously— gain, gain is a very pretty thing, a very pleasantaffair. Who does
not like to make money? You know, if you can be religious and grow rich at
the same time, that will just suit some of you. Think of this then, for the trial
will come to you in the shape of yellow gold, and it will be hard to keep
yourself from the glittering bait which the godof this world will lay before
you. I am putting these things to you, so that you may calculate whetheryou
can carry on the war againstthe devil with all these fearful odds againstyou.
If I were a recruiting-serjeantI should not do this. He puts the shilling into
the country lad's hand, and the lad may say fifty things. "Oh, never mind,"
says the gallant soldier, "you know, it is all glory, nothing but glory. There, I
will just tie these ribbons round your hat. There are some long strips of glory
to begin with, and then all your days it will be just glory, glory for ever; and
you will die a general, and be buried at Westminster Abbey, and they will play
the 'DeadMarch in Saul,' and all that kind of thing." Now I cannot thus
deceive or try to cheatmen to enlist under the banner of the Cross. I do not
desire to raise objections to it; all I want of you is to count the cost, lestyou
should be like unto him who began to build without being able to finish.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)

The Christian war
B. Keach.
The doctrine here is, that a sinner who designs to close with Christ, and
become His disciple, should first consult matters well, and then take courage
and not fear any enemy, but resolutelypursue his great and gooddesign.
I. SHOW PARTICULARLY WHAT A POOR SINNER, WHO DESIGNS TO
ENTER UPON THIS WAR, SHOULD CONSULT.
1. He should consult the charge of this war. He who spares one beloved lust
will be worstedand lose the field.
2. He should consult what greathardship he must undergo.
3. He should consult the cause and absolute necessityof the war.
4. He should consult the length or duration of the war.
5. He must considerat whose charge the war is to be carriedon and
maintained. Christ's riches and treasures are infinite and inexhaustible.
6. He should carefully considerthe manner and time when he must enlist, and
what armour he must wear(Hebrews 3:13; Ephesians 6:14-17).

7. He must considerthe strength, policy, wrath, and cruelty of Satan and
other enemies.
8. He must be sensible of his own weakness, andnever engage in his own name
or strength.
9. He must considerthe powerand irresistible strength of his Captain, the
Lord Jesus Christ.
10. He must considerthe covenant of peace, the oath and promises of God the
Father to Christ as Mediator, and in Him to all believers; also, how in that
covenantall the electare put into Christ's hand, not only to redeem them, to
renew them, but also to aid, help, and assist, andto fight for them; yea, and to
strengthen and support them.
11. He must considerthe relation in which they stand to their Captain. He has
espousedand married them for ever.
12. They should also know that all their enemies are alreadyconquered.
13. They should considerthe honour of God, and the honour, exaltation, and
glory of their Captain, and prefer that above their lives. While we seek His
glory, He will seek our good.
14. They should considerthe nature of the crownfor which they fight.

II. SHOW WHY SINNERS SHOULD SIT DOWN AND CONSIDER THESE
THINGS BEFORE THEYENTER INTO THESE WARS.
1. Becauseman is naturally self-confident, and thinks he can do wonderful
things by his own strength; but did he know how weak be is, and how
deceitful his heart is, and all the powers of his soul, he would not pride it so in
himself, nor ever venture to go forth in his own strength againstone who is so
much strongerthan he.
2. Becauseallwho ever engagedthese enemies, notconsidering their own
weakness,but went out in their own strength, were put to flight and utterly
beaten.
3. BecauseourLord would have none of His soldiers be surprised, either by
the power, wrath, malice, or subtlety of the enemy.
4. That we may be better prepared for the worst. Forewarned,
forearmed.Application:
1. This informs us that the work of a Christian is no easy, but a very hard and
difficult, work.
2. It may inform us what the reasonis that so many professors, who seemed
zealous in times of peace and liberty, have desertedin an hour of trial and
persecution. They did not sit down and consider the strength of their enemies.

3. It may be of use to all poor convincedsinners that purpose to follow Jesus
Christ, first of all to ponder and well weigh the nature, troubles, and
difficulties of a Christian life.
4. It also may tend to convince us of the greatstrength and powerof Satan
and other enemies of our souls, and the need we have to be well armed and to
stand always upon our watch. and never give wayto self-confidence.
5. It shows also the woefulcondition of unbelievers, who have not the powerof
Christ to help and assistthem.
(B. Keach.)
Unequal to the war
Louis XII., King of France, sentan army into Italy to take the kingdom of
Naples, which had been given to Louis XI. by King Rene of Provence. When
Alfonso, King of Naples, heard that Louis and other enemies were coming
againsthim, he lookedround for help, and actually beggedthe Sultan of
Turkey to aid him. Not getting assistancein this quarter, and having no army
fit to oppose that of Louis, he made peace with him, gave up Naples, accepted
the Duchy of Anjou, and went to live there.
First weigh, then venture
H. O. Mackay.
Count Von Moltke, the greatGerman strategistand general, chose forhis
motto, "Erstwagen, dann wagon" (Firstweigh, then venture), and it is to this
he owes his greatvictories and successes.Slow, cautious, carefulin planning,
but bold, daring, even seeminglyrecklessin execution, the moment his resolve
is made. Vows must ripen into deeds, decisionmust go on to performance.

(H. O. Mackay.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(32) Desirethconditions of peace.—Literally, the things that make for peace.
The phrase is the same as that in Luke 19:42, “the things that belong unto thy
peace.” Are we to see any specialsignificance in this addition to the general
teaching of the previous verse, and if so, what is it? The answerseems to be
that what our Lord teaches is the necessityof thoroughness in what we do. If
we cannot make up our minds to the costinvolved in warring againstthe
world and its evil, we had better come to terms with it, and live in such peace
as we canthus gain. If we shrink from the thought of fighting againstGod, we
had better acceptHis conditions of peace. The worstfolly of all is to enter into
the conflictwith a wavering will, not caring to know what “the things
belonging to our peace” actuallyare, or to endeavourto stand apart in an
impossible neutrality. Taking the highest application of the parable, He who
spoke it had counted the cost, and therefore carried on the war with evil to the
last, and would make no terms with it.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
14:25-35 Thoughthe disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear
their cross, and must bear it in the wayof duty. Jesus bids them count upon it,
and then considerof it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the
former showing that we must considerthe expenses ofour religion; the latter,
that we must considerthe perils of it. Sit down and count the cost;considerit
will costthe mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and
most daring sinner cannot stand againstGod, for who knows the powerof his
anger? It is our interestto seek peacewith him, and we need not send to ask

conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In
some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be
disciples indeed, and be carefulnot to grow slack in our profession, or afraid
of the cross;that we may be the goodsalt of the earth, to seasonthose around
us with the savourof Christ.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Or else - If he is not able. If he is satisfied that he would be defeated.
An ambassage -Persons to treat with an enemy and propose terms of peace.
These expressions are not to be improperly pressedin order to obtain from
them a spiritual signification. The generalscope ofthe parable is to be learned
from the connection, and may be thus expressed:
1. Every man who becomes a followerof Jesus should calmly and deliberately
look at all the consequencesofsuch an act and be prepared to meet them.
2. Men in other things actwith prudence and forethought. They do not begin
to build without a reasonable prospectofbeing able to finish. They do not go
to war when there is every prospectthat they will be defeated.
3. Religionis a work of soberness, ofthought, of calm and fixed purpose, and
no man can properly enter on it who does not resolve by the grace ofGod to
fulfil all its requirements and make it the business of his life.
4. We are to expect difficulties in religion. It will costus the mortification of
our sins, and a life of self-denial, and a conflict with our lusts, and the enmity
and ridicule of the world. Perhaps it may costus our reputation, or possibly
our lives and liberties, and all that is dear to us; but we must cheerfully
undertake all this, and be prepared for it all.

5. If we do not deliberately resolve to leave all things, to suffer all things that
may be laid on us, and to persevere to the end of our days in the service of
Christ, we cannotbe his disciples. No man can be a Christian who, when he
makes a profession, is resolvedafter a while to turn back to the world; nor
can he be a true Christian if he "expects that he will" turn back. If he comes
not with a "full" purpose "always" to be a Christian; if he means not to
persevere, by the grace ofGod, through all hazards, and trials, and
temptations; if he is not willing to bear his cross, andmeet contempt, and
poverty, and pain, and death, without turning back, he "cannot" be a disciple
of the Lord Jesus.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
28-33. whichof you, &c.—Commonsense teaches mennot to begin any costly
work without first seeing that they have wherewithalto finish. And he who
does otherwise exposes himselfto generalridicule. Norwill any wise potentate
enter on a warwith any hostile powerwithout first seeing to it that, despite
formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground; and if he has no
hope of this, he will feelthat nothing remains for him but to make the best
terms he can. Even so, says our Lord, "in the warfare you will eachhave to
wage as My disciples, despise not your enemy's strength, for the odds are all
againstyou; and you had better see to it that, despite every disadvantage, you
still have wherewithalto hold out and win the day, or else not begin at all, and
make the best you can in such awful circumstances." In this simple sense of
the parable (Stier, Alford, &c., go wide of the mark here in making the enemy
to be God, because ofthe "conditions of peace," Lu 14:32), two things are
taught: (1) Better not begin (Re 3:15), than begin and not finish. (2) Though
the contestfor salvationbe on our part an awfully unequal one, the human
will, in the exercise ofthat "faith which overcomeththe world" (1Jo 5:4), and
nerved by powerfrom above, which "out of weaknessmakesit strong" (Heb
11:34;1Pe 1:5), becomes heroicalandwill come off "more than conqueror."
But without absolute surrender of self the contestis hopeless (Lu 14:33).

Matthew Poole's Commentary
See Poole on"Luke 14:28"
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Or else, while the other is a greatway off,.... Upon his march, with resolution
to come up and give battle, though as yet at a distance:
he sendeth an ambassage;or men, with an embassyto him:
and desireth conditions of peace;greatly to his disadvantage and reproach:so
to give out, and leave off fighting with sin, Satan, and the world, and make
peace with them, is shameful and scandalous;but on the other hand, such who
have engagedin this war, should pursue it with rigour and courage;
considering that God is on their side; that Christ is the captain of their
salvation;that the Spirit of God that is in them, is greaterthan he that is in
the world; that angels encamparound them; that it is a goodcause they are
engagedin; that they have goodweapons, the whole armour of God provided
for them; are sure of victory, and shall at last enjoy the crown of life,
righteousness andglory.
Geneva Study Bible
Or else, while the other is yet a great wayoff, he sendeth an ambassage, and
desireth conditions of peace.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
32. desireth conditions 0f peace]This is sufficient to overthrow the
interpretation which sees Manand Satanin the warring kings. Another view
is that it implies the hostility of man to God, and the urgent need of being
reconciledto Him (e.g. Bengelsays on the word ‘king,’ “Christiana militia
regale quiddam”). That howeveris never a calculatedhostility which

deliberately sits down and expects to win the victory; otherwise it would be a
goodinference that “a Christian’s weaknessis his strength.” It is a mistake,
and one which often leads to serious errors, to press unduly the details of
parables;as when for instance some would see in the 10,000 soldiers a
reference to the Ten Commandments. The generallessonis—Do not
undertake what you have neither the strength nor will to achieve, nor that in
which you are not prepared, if need be, to sacrifice life itself.
Bengel's Gnomen
Luke 14:32. Ἐρωτᾷ, he beggeth) The king finds it an easiermatter to prevail
on himself to expend [to expose to the risks of war] an army, than to beg a
peace. This begging of peace, therefore, expresses the hatred of one’s own
soul, wherewithone, having utterly denied self, gives himself up to
dependence on pure and unmixed grace. We may also, by changing the figure,
understand peace as the avoidance of hatred on the part of his own people,
which is a bad kind of peace.[152]
[152]In this view faith will constitute “the goodfight,” which ought to be
perseveredin, and no false compromise be made with the spiritual enemy
without for the sake ofescaping hatred at home, i.e. among one’s friends, or
for the sake ofindulging self, in the indulgence of the indolence as to the
spiritual fight, so natural to us: this would be saying, “Peace, peace, where
there is no peace,”Jeremiah6:14;Isaiah 57:21.—E. andT.
Vincent's Word Studies
Asketh (ἐρωτᾷ)
On a footing of equality: king treating with king. See on Luke 11:9.
Conditions of peace (τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην)

Lit., this looking towardpeace:preliminaries. Compare Romans 14:19, things
which make for peace (τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, the things of peace).
Luke 14:33 In the same way, any one of you who does
not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
He cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33
Christ requires supreme regard
J. Alexander.
I. THE POSSESSIONSWHICH JESUS CHRIST REQUIRES US TO
FORSAKE IN ORDER TO OUR BECOMING HIS DISCIPLES. In our text
Jesus Christ authoritatively asserts the absolute right and the first claim to all
that we have and to all that we are. Ourselves and our possessionsare to be
His. We are to considerourselves not as proprietors, but only as stewards.
1. Christ requires us to forsake the world and the things of the world.
2. Christ requires us to exercise self-denial, and to bear the cross daily.

3. Jesus Christrequires us to forsake ourown relatives, whenever they would
hinder us from following Him.
4. Jesus Christrequires you to forsake evenlife itself rather than renounce
Him and His cause.
II. THE IMPOSSIBILITYOF OUR BEING HIS DISCIPLES IF WE
REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH HIS REQUIREMENT. "He cannotbe My
disciple." The solemnand authoritative manner in which this decisionis
pronounced ought very deeply to affectour hearts. Christ, you perceive, does
not saythat such a man is an inconsistentdisciple, or an ungrateful disciple,
or a half-hearted disciple; but He says that he is not a disciple at all; nay, says
He, "he cannotbe My disciple." He may profess to be a disciple, and he may
be acknowledgedas a disciple by others, but he is not one:and though men
and angels should declare, "Beholda disciple indeed!" Christ would reply, "I
know him not!" And this decision, be it remembered, my brethren, is not
mine, but Christ's.
III. THE MEANS AND THE MOTIVES WHICH JESUS CHRIST
AFFORDS TO INDUCE AND TO ENABLE US TO COMPLY WITH HIS
REQUIREMENT. And here I intend to show that we ought to forsake allfor
Christ, because it is the most reasonable andadvantageous duty that we can
discharge.
1. We should forsake allthat we have for Christ, because He commands us to
do so.
2. We should forsake allthat we have for Christ, because He hath loved us
and given Himself for us.

3. We should forsake allthat we have for Christ, because He has promised to
enable us to do so if we ask Him.
4. We should forsake allfor Christ, because He can give us infinitely more
than we can relinquish for His sake.
(J. Alexander.)
An Indian's all
An Indian, on being askedhow it was that he came into the kingdom of Christ
so easily, at once replied, "We are commanded to forsake all. The white man
have to give up his house; but I have no house. The white man have to give up
his riches;but I have no riches. The white man have to give up his farm; but I
have no farm. Indian have nothing to give up but his blanket, and I throw off
my blanketvery easily."
Yielding all to Christ
Handbook to Scripture Doctrines.
In America a farmer felt convincedthat he was not living to Christ as he
ought, with that warm-hearted earnestnesswhich characterises those who are
born again. He was a large farmer, and had a greatnumber of stacksin his
yard. He went into the centre one day, and threw himself on his face, and said
he would have it out with God. He prayed to Jesus Christ, and found
forgiveness through His righteousness. He got up to tell his wife and children.
It was Pentecost-like. Petersaid, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remissionof sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost." The farmer believed it, and went home, but he had not
reachedthe fence ere he was arrestedby a voice which said there was
something more. He stopped, and cried out, "O Lord, what more? is there

anything more, and I will give it Thee?" He went back to the spotwhere he
was bound to Christ, and reiterated again, "What more, O Lord; is there any
more I can do?" And something told him that he had not given up the
stackyardto the Lord. He burst out, "Lord, I yield; take the stack-yard—
take the horses — take the farm!" He returned to his wife and children. But
there was something else;he had a large balance at the bank. He had been a
prosperous man, and was counting on the better time when he could hold a
palatial residence for himself and family. That money was not given to the
Lord; but he cried out, "Take it, Lord; I give it all up." And instead of
building a residence he built a chapel, and supported the ministers of God,
and went to the camp meeting, and gave his stack-yard, farm-houses, his wife
and children, into the hand of the Lord. He used the money in the bank
judiciously, and it is a pleasure to him to lend waggonsto his poorer
neighbours, and plough their fields.
(Handbook to Scripture Doctrines.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(33) Whosoeverhe be of you that forsakethnot . . .—Better, that renounceth
not. This, then, was the immediate lessonwhichthe company of eager
disciples had to learn: to saygood-bye to their “all,” whateverthat might be.
Fishing-nets and hired servants, or greatpossessions,orease and safety, or
besetting sins, or fancied righteousness—allhad to be renounced. The word
for “forsake”is that which was afterwards used in the baptismal formula, “I
renounce the devil and all his works,”and the same as that which is translated
“bidding farewell” in Luke 9:61, Acts 18:18.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:25-35 Thoughthe disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear
their cross, and must bear it in the wayof duty. Jesus bids them count upon it,
and then considerof it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the
former showing that we must considerthe expenses ofour religion; the latter,
that we must considerthe perils of it. Sit down and count the cost;considerit
will costthe mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and
most daring sinner cannot stand againstGod, for who knows the powerof his
anger? It is our interestto seek peacewith him, and we need not send to ask
conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In
some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be
disciples indeed, and be carefulnot to grow slack in our profession, or afraid
of the cross;that we may be the goodsalt of the earth, to seasonthose around
us with the savourof Christ.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible

can he be a true Christian if he "expects that he will" turn back. If he comes
not with a "full" purpose "always" to be a Christian; if he means not to
poverty, and pain, and death, without turning back, he "cannot" be a disciple
of the Lord Jesus.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
28-33. whichof you, &c.—Commonsense teaches mennot to begin any costly
work without first seeing that they have wherewithalto finish. And he who
does otherwise exposes himselfto generalridicule. Norwill any wise potentate
enter on a warwith any hostile powerwithout first seeing to it that, despite
formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground; and if he has no
hope of this, he will feelthat nothing remains for him but to make the best
terms he can. Even so, says our Lord, "in the warfare you will eachhave to
wage as My disciples, despise not your enemy's strength, for the odds are all
againstyou; and you had better see to it that, despite every disadvantage, you
still have wherewithalto hold out and win the day, or else not begin at all, and
make the best you can in such awful circumstances." In this simple sense of
the parable (Stier, Alford, &c., go wide of the mark here in making the enemy

to be God, because ofthe "conditions of peace," Lu 14:32), two things are
taught: (1) Better not begin (Re 3:15), than begin and not finish. (2) Though
the contestfor salvationbe on our part an awfully unequal one, the human
will, in the exercise ofthat "faith which overcomeththe world" (1Jo 5:4), and
nerved by powerfrom above, which "out of weaknessmakesit strong" (Heb
11:34;1Pe 1:5), becomes heroicalandwill come off "more than conqueror."
But without absolute surrender of self the contestis hopeless (Lu 14:33).
Matthew Poole's Commentary
See Poole on"Luke 14:28"
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
So likewise whosoeverhe be of you,.... Let him be ever so forward to follow
me, to make a professionof me and of my Gospel, and to become a disciple of
mine:
that forsakethnot all that he hath; when calledto it, relations, friends,
possessions, estates, and what not, which is an explanation of Luke 14:26
he cannot be my disciple; he is not in fact one, and is not worthy to be called
one.
Geneva Study Bible
So likewise, whosoeverhe be of you that forsakethnot all that he hath, he
cannot be my disciple.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Luke 14:33 gives the applicatio of the parable. Hofmann, Keil, and Hahn
divide the sentence into two, utting a full stop after ὑμῶν and rendering: “So
then every one of you! (do the same thing, i.e., consider). He who does not
renounce all he hath is not able to be a disciple of mine.” This is very effective;

it may have been what Jesus actuallysaid; but it is hardly how Lk. reports His
words. Ha he meant the sentence to be read so he would have put γὰρ after ὃς.
He runs the two supposedsentences into one, and so the counselto deliberate
is left out or latent in the requirement of renunciation, which is the reasonfor
deliberation.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
33. forsakethnot all that he hath] i.e. every affection, gift or possessionthat
interferes with true discipleship. We must be ready ‘to count all things but
loss for Christ,’ Php 3:7-8.
Bengel's Gnomen
Luke 14:33. Οὐκ ἀποτάσσεται, doth not renounce or detach himself from [bid
farewellto]) The builder exercises self-denialas to (renounces), and expends,
unhesitatingly, sums of money, the warrior his forces, and the disciple
parents, and all ties of affection. The former two have a positive expenditure;
the latter, a negative (self-denying) expenditure (the foregoing, where called
on, of that which one might otherwise enjoy, home affections). [It is a mighty
undertaking to compass the being a disciple of Christ. He is better to abstain
from the attempt, who is not altogetherwellpleasedwith all the things which
tend to the attainment of that object.—V. g.]
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 33. - So likewise, whosoeverhe be of you that forsakethnot all that he
hath, he cannot be my disciple. "We must live in this world as though the soul
was already in heaven and the body mouldering in the grave" (St. Francis de
Sales). There was much unreasoning, possibly not a little sentimental
enthusiasm, among the people who crowdedround Jesus in these last months
of his work. The stern, uncompromising picture of what ought to be the life of
his realfollowers was painted especiallywith a view of getting rid of these
useless, purposeless enthusiasts.The way of the cross, whichhe was about to
tread, was no pathway for such light-hearted triflers.
Vincent's Word Studies

Forsaketh(ἀποτάσσεται)
Bids good-by to. Rev., renounceth. See on Luke 9:61. "In that forsakethlies
the keyto the whole passage"(Trench). Christian discipleship is founded in
self-renunciation.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Luke 14:31 "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle,
will not first sit down and considerwhether he is strong enoughwith ten
thousand men to encounterthe one coming againsthim with twenty
thousand?
KJV Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war againstanother king,
sitteth not down first, and consultethwhether he be able with ten thousand to
meet him that comethagainsthim with twenty thousand?
1 Ki 20:11; 2 Ki 18:20-22;Pr 20:18;25:8
Luke 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
Luke 14:25-35 The Extreme Nature of True Discipleship, Part 2 - John
MacArthur
Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleship - Steven Cole

Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleshp1 - Steven Lawson- Listen at your own
risk! You will be challenged!
Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleshp2 - Steven Lawson
CONSIDER THE COST BEFORE
COMMITTING (2)
Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit
down and considerwhether he is strong enough - The question is rhetorical.
Jesus uses the question to introduce a secondillustration of he importance of
carefully reflecting before casuallyreacting!Hampton Keathley III refers to
this as the "SaddamHussein" principle (obviously a principle he failed to
considerbefore beginning his own military endeavors!). As Plummer says "It
is folly to begin without much consideration."
Inrig - The secondparable poses a very different problem. If it is foolishto
begin without counting the cost, it is disastrous to delay one’s choice without
considering the consequences. Notonly do we need to count the costof
discipleship, we need to consider the consequencesof refusing discipleship.
One way or another, choice is inevitable.
Keener - Herod Antipas had recentlylost a war with a neighboring Roman
vassal, so the image of foolhardy war should be meaningful to Jesus’hearers.
Jesus’point (as in 14:28–30)is that one must recognize the costwhen one
enlists as a disciple of Jesus (cf. Prov 20:18; 24:6). (IVP Background
Commentary)

Steven Cole explains that the phrase first sit down and considerrefers "to
careful, detailed, rational thinking in which you consider all aspects ofwhat
you’re getting into before you make the commitment. Such careful thinking is
opposedto an impulsive decisionmade in a moment of intense emotion,
without much thought about the consequences."
Consider(1011)(bouleuo from boule = counsel, will) means to take counsel, to
deliberate, to resolve in counsel. It is only found in the middle voice (reflexive)
and conveys the meaning of to consult, determine, deliberate with oneselfor
with one another in counsel. In Ge 50:20 Josephdeclares "youmeant (Lxx =
took counselfor) evil againstme, but God meant (Lxx = took counselfor) it
for good...."Pr15:22 says "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But
with many counselors (Lxx = bouleuo) they succeed."
Bouleuo - 5x in 5v - consider(1), planned(1), planned together(1), purpose(2),
resolved(1).
Lk. 14:31; Jn. 11:53;Jn. 12:10; Acts 27:39;2 Co. 1:17
Bouleuo - 86x in 82v in the Septuagint -
Ge. 50:20; 2 Sam. 16:23; 2 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 17:21; 1 Ki. 12:6; 1 Ki. 12:28;2
Ki. 6:8; 1 Chr. 13:1; 2 Chr. 10:6; 2 Chr. 10:9; 2 Chr. 20:21; 2 Chr. 25:17; 2
Chr. 30:2; 2 Chr. 30:23; 2 Chr. 32:3; Ezr. 4:5; Neh. 5:7; Neh. 6:7; Est. 1:1;
Est. 3:6; Ps. 31:13; Ps. 62:4; Ps. 71:10;Ps. 83:3; Ps. 83:5; Prov. 15:22; Isa. 3:9;
Isa. 7:5; Isa. 8:10; Isa. 14:24; Isa. 14:26; Isa. 14:27;Isa. 16:3; Isa. 19:12;Isa.
19:17;Isa. 23:8; Isa. 23:9; Isa. 28:29; Isa. 31:6; Isa. 32:7; Isa. 32:8; Isa. 45:20;
Isa. 46:10; Isa. 46:11;Isa. 51:13;Jer. 49:20; Jer. 49:30;Jer. 50:45;Ezek. 11:2;
Dan. 6:3; Dan. 6:4; Dan. 7:26; Mic. 6:5; Hab. 2:10

Gene Brooks - The king did not go headlong into battle without counting the
cost(Luke 14:31-32;Pr 20:18;24:6). Herod Antipas had recently lost a war
with a neighboring Roman vassal, so the image of foolhardy war would be
meaningful as well to Jesus’hearers. Theymust consider the costin
identifying with Him. Otherwise, when persecutioncame they would forsake
Christ. (The Costof Being a Disciple)
Jesus'teaching recalls Solomon's wisdomin the Proverbs
Proverbs 20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise
guidance.
Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of
counselors there is victory.
Mike Andrus - This parable tells us that before going to battle, an intelligent
military leaderwill always assesshis strength and take inventory of his
resources.If he recognizes thathe doesn’t have the troops or the firepower or
the willpowerto win the battle, he will negotiate terms of peace. Otherwise he
will end up like Saddam Hussein. Again the costmust be countedin advance if
one wants to avoid a disaster. (Luke 14:25-35 Come atAll Cost, But Count the
Cost)
Will not first sit down and considerwhether he is strong enough with ten
thousand men to encounterthe one coming againsthim with twenty thousand
- The clearimplication is that is not easyfor an army of 10,000to defeatan
army of 20,000.Put yourself in the position of this king. Would he dare make
this decisionwithout carefulcontemplation? Of course not, because to do so

would be to risk defeatand even loss of his kingdom. He had to make a choice
and do it fairly quickly (while the enemy as still far away).
Lockyer- The motto of Von Moltke, the greatmilitary strategistwas, "First
weigh, then venture," which is the policy both builder and king must pursue.
With the man building the tower, the costis reckonedin money; with the
king, the costcovers the men required to conquer his foes.
Encounter (5221)(hupantao from hupo = by, below + antao = to meet face to
face with; antao is from anti = opposite)means to go to meet and element of
hostility or opposition as and here clearly reflects a hostile meeting for battle
which is a goodpicture of what we see in Acts 16:16+!Compare another
"hostile meeting" mentioned in all three synoptic Gospels - Mt 8:28, Mk 5:2,
Lk 8:27+.
Luke 14:32 "Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation
and asks forterms of peace.
KJV Luke 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a greatway off, he sendeth an
ambassage, anddesireth conditions of peace.
and desireth
Lk 12:58;1 Ki 20:31-34;2 Kings 10:4,5;Job 40:9; Mt 5:25; Acts 12:20;James
4:6-10
MacArthur

He sends a delegationand asks for terms of peace - The king has thought
through the odds of an army of 10,000defeating anarmy of 20,000and makes
the choice to not wait to see if he will be defeated. And so he sends emissaries
out to seek peace. And notice that he does not wait until the 20,000 have
encircledhis 10,000but seeks peacewhile the other is still far away.
Bock explains that "The wisdom of such assessment(in Lk 14:31) is seenin
the king’s response to being outnumbered. Rather than going to war, he asks
for terms of peace." (Ibid)
Morris explains that "The two parables are similar but they make slightly
different points. The builder of the toweris free to build or not as he chooses,
but the king is being invaded (the other comes against him). He must do
something. Cf. A. M. Hunter, ‘In the first parable Jesus says, “Sitdown and
reckonwhether you can afford to follow me.” In the secondhe says, “Sitdown
and reckonwhetheryou can afford to refuse my demands.” ’ Both ways of
looking at it are important. The lessonis plain. Jesus does not want followers
who rush into discipleship without thinking of what is involved." (TNTC)
Hughes emphasizes that "Virtually every accomplishment in life requires
counting the cost. Do you want to be a greatviolinist? Jascha Jeifitzat age
seventy-five had loggedsome 102,000hours of practice! If you want to be an
artist, remember that da Vinci’s anatomically perfectsketches came only after
incredible effort—onone occasionhe drew a thousand hands! Do you want to

be an Olympic champion lifter and set a world record? Your training lifts
added togetherjust might equal the weight of the Sears Tower!" (Ibid)
Guzik - In the parable of the tower, Jesus says "sitdown and see if you can
afford to follow Me." In the parable of the king, Jesus says "sitdown and see
if you canafford to refuse My demands."
Life Application Bible Commentary – EASY DECISION? If you made a
decisionsometime in the past to trust Christ for salvation but since then you
haven't paid much attention to your devotion and discipleship, you may be
one of those followers who hasn't counted the cost. A decisionto trust Christ
means that God Almighty is now your Lord and Savior. You had better listen
to him, read his Word, follow his teaching. To "walk the aisle" and then drift
along is no decisionat all. If you have trusted Christ, show you mean it by
doing what God commands.
POSB - The point of the two parables is clear:a man must pay the ultimate
price. He must forsake all, renounce and give up all that he is and has; or else
“he cannotbe my disciple.” When a man counts the costof following Christ,
he needs to think about two things.
(1) It will costhim all he IS.
The man must be willing to centerhis life around Christ and His mission to
reacha world lostand full of desperate needs. It will costthe man …
• his heart: total devotion and commitment
• his mind: being permeatedand controlled by Christ
• his eyes:watching what he looks at

• his ears:watching what he listens to
• his hands: watching what he touches and picks up
• his feet: watching where he goes
• his mouth: watching what he eats and drinks and says
• his desires:watching, controlling, and changing his urges and
desires
• his energy: committing his strength, initiative, and will to Christ
• his effort and work:dedicating and centering all in Christ, using his
efforts and work in the cause of Christ
(2) It will costhim all he HAS.
The man must be willing to give everything he has to Christ, without watering
down the cost. It is this point that will cause so many to be lost and doomed
(see outline and notes—Lu. 18:18–30;Mt. 10:16–22). To reallyfollow Christ
will cost…
• family: being put after Christ
• friends: being put after Christ and centeredaround Christ
• home: all the comforts and extravagances
• job: being centeredaround Christ and being used to earn enough to
give to those who do not have (Ep. 4:28)
• cars:not being extravagant, so as to have more to give to a needful
world
• investments: using for God’s cause

• money: taking care of personalnecessitiesand then using the rest
for God’s cause
Whatever a personhas, it will costhim. He must surrender it to Christ,
which is to say, he must be willing to use it in the Lord’s mission, the mission
of helping a world lost and reeling under the weight of enormous needs.
When a man counts the costof following Christ, he must think about the
consequencesofboth fighting againstChrist and surrendering to Christ. If
the man chooses to rejectChrist, to struggle againstHim, the man will …
• never experience abundant life, deep satisfaction(Jn. 10:10)
• never know God, His love and care, on a daily basis
• never have an eternal sense ofpurpose, meaning, and significance
• never know nor have the assurance ofeternal life
• never be free from the uncertainty of life
• never be free from the dread and fear of death
• never be free of some sense of judgment and of what lies ahead
• never be freed from a sense of false security
The consequences ofsurrendering to Christ are, of course, the very opposite
of the above.
Luke 14:33 "So then, none of you canbe My disciple who does not give up all
his ownpossessions.

KJV Luke 14:33 So likewise,whosoeverhe be of you that forsakethnot all
that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
NET Luke 14:33 In the same way therefore not one of you canbe my disciple
if he does not renounce all his own possessions.
Lk 14:26;5:11,28;18:22,23,28-30;Acts 5:1-5; 8:19-22;Phil 3:7,8;2 Ti 4:10; 1
Jn 2:15,16
MacArthur
SAY "GOOD-BYE"TO
ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS!
So then - A conclusionbasedon the two illustrations Jesus has just given of
counting the cost. Now Jesus introduces anothercostof discipleship.
None...all - None and all leave no room for exceptions to Jesus'instruction.
"There are no exceptions or exemptions to these absolute, unqualified

requirements." (MacArthur) This instruction brings to mind the "rich young
ruler" in Luke 18
A ruler questioned Him, saying, “GoodTeacher,whatshall I do to inherit
eternal life?” 19 And Jesus saidto him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is
goodexcept Godalone. 20“Youknow the commandments, ‘DO NOT
COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT
BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” 21
And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus
heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack;sellall that you possess
and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow Me.” 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for
he was extremely rich. (Lk 18:18-23-note)
The "Richyoung ruler" remained rich in time for a short time, but forfeited
true riches in eternity. One wonders if he had heard of Jesus'teaching in Lk
14:33, but regardless,he was unwilling to "countthe cost" to be a believer, a
disciple of Jesus. And as a result, his soul was losteternally and he will forever
be haunted by Jesus'question(and sadly will know the answer!) - "What does
it profit a man to gainthe whole world, and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36)
Who would be willing to give up EVERYTHING? It is the individual who
recognizes thatJesus is worth EVERYTHING! This personis willing to make
an unreserved commitment, holding nothing back. Does this describe you
dear reader?
MacArthur explains that "Jesus is not advocating socialism, orgetting rid of
everything and living a life of poverty. His point is that those who would be
His disciples must recognize that they are stewards ofeverything and owners

of nothing. And if the Lord askedthem to give up all they would be willing,
because loving obedience is their highest duty and joy."
Bock - A disciple’s attachments are potentially the most destructive thing for
discipleship....The will to renounce all possessions andto ally oneselftotally to
Jesus is the essenceofdiscipleship. Jesus is first. He is the one object of focus.
Persevering with Jesus means being attachedto him, not to possessions....If
Jesus offers what he says he offers, then there can be no greaterpossession
than following him....Jesus is not a minimalist when it comes to commitment.
It is not how little one can give that is the question, but how much God
deserves. (Ibid)
To give up or say good-bye to all one’s possessions does notmean the disciple
cannot possess anything, but it does mean that the disciple must understand
that all possessionsare from God, and are for His use.
Guzik - We have a difficult challenge in understanding and communicating
the gospelhere;there are two extremes to avoid. We cannever give people the
impression that they have to cleanup their lives before the come to Jesus;that
is like washing up before you take a bath.. But also, we cannever give people
the impressionthat Jesus won't want to cleanup their lives with their
cooperationafterthey come to Him. It is as if we have an apartment and give
the ownershipof that apartment to Jesus. We don't have to remodel the
apartment before we give it to Jesus;but once we do, He comes in and starts
tearing down walls and fixing up things. Being a disciple means that you help
Jesus in that work instead of resisting it, or changing things back to the old
way. (Commentary)
Notice that Jesus is saying we are to “give up,” not “give away.” Disciples give
authority over their relationships, their possessions,and their resources to
Christ. All that I have is to be used consistentlywith His mission and
direction. My house becomes His house;my car, His car;my savings, His

savings. This renunciation is a costlyact for those of us who love the “stuff” of
life.
Give up (657)(apotasso fromapo = from + tasso = to place in order) means to
assignto different place, to allot. Howeverin the NT it is only found in the
middle voice and has the meaning of to part from, to take leave of, to say
good-bye. Figuratively, apotassomeans to dismiss, forsake, renounce orgive
up as Jesus says in Lk 14:33 of one's possessions. This meaning carries the
notion of putting something aside (perhaps in its correctpriority) to prevent it
from being a hindrance or gaining excessive control. It is interesting that
Jesus did not say the disciple must be “willing” to “renounce” everything; He
said that personmust give it up! In the majority of the NT uses apotasso
means separating oneselffrom others, places, orthings and so bidding them
farewellor saying good-bye (Mark 6:46; Acts 18:18, 21;2 Cor. 2:13).
Notice that apotasso in this verse is in the presenttense, which signifies that
the disciple of Jesus is calledto live a lifestyle of giving up "ALL his stuff!"
Giving up things does not earn us "points" with God, but is simply a
reflectionof the Spirit enabled ability to daily make the choice to place Jesus
on the throne of our heart, at the same time resisting all other so-calledgods
(idols) that daily seek to usurp His place in our devotion. Inrig says
"Discipleshipinvolves a daily actof signing awayownership."
Apotasso is used in Lk 9:61-note "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me
to say good-bye (apotasso)to those at home.” The idea is to sayfarewelland
here in Lk 14:33 it pictures one in "saying farewell" and turning his back on
everything he had formerly held dear! Jesus'words cut us all to the quick for
we live in a materialistic world that constantlytempts us to accumulate more
and more. So if you are like me, it helps to pause for a moment and ponder
today in the light of eternity. Here is a song by Graham Kendrick and sung by
Robin Mark that helps me renew my commitment to follow Jesus no matter
the cost...takea moment and ponder these words (basedon Php 3:8-10) as you
ponder eternity with Jesus!

All I Once Held Dear
All I once held dear
Built my life upon
All this world reveres
And wants to own
All I once thought gain
I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now
Compared to this
REFRAIN
Knowing You Jesus, knowing You
There is no greaterthing
You're my all You're the best
You're my joy my righteousness
And I love You Lord
Now my heart's desire
Is to know You more
To be found in You
And known as Yours

To possess by faith
What I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness
And I love You Lord
Oh to know the powerof Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You
In Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die
And I love You Lord
And I love You Lord

You're my all - spoken
And I love You Lord
All his own possessions - Note that Jesus says ALL not some! Jesus is giving
greatadvice to all us in wealthy America. He knows that the problem with
possessionsis that too often they end up possessing us!And Jesus will tolerate
no pretenders on the throne of our heart declaring that
“(Absolutely) No one canserve (douleuo) two masters;for either he will hate
(miseo - same verb in Lk 14:26) the one and love (agapao)the other, or he will
be devoted to one and despise the other. You (ABSOLUTELY) cannotserve
(douleuo) God and wealth (mammon = mammonas). (Mt 6:24-note)
Similar teachings are found in Lk 12:33;18:22; cf. also Lk 11:41. Recallwhat
some of the disciples did as they beganto follow Jesus:
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed
Him. (Luke 5:11-note)
Comment: The pattern of the first disciples has not changed.
Leon Morris - The lessonis plain. Jesus does not want followers who rush into
discipleship without thinking of what is involved. And He is clearabout the
price. The man who comes to Him must renounce all that he has…. These
words condemn all half-heartedness. Jesus is not, of course, discouraging

discipleship. He is warning againstan ill-considered, fainthearted attachment
in order that men may know the real thing. He wants men to count the cost
and reckonall lostfor His sake so that they canenter the exhilaration of full-
blooded discipleship. (TNTC)(Bolding added)
Life Application Bible Commentary – Forsome, this may be literal, such as
the rich young man in Lk 18:18-23 andmany of Jesus'earlyfollowers;for
others it may be a willingness to hold looselyto material possessions....Jesus
painted no rosy picture of a high-paying job with all the benefits. He said that
the waywould be rough and would be a way of self-sacrifice.Oddly enough,
however, this is the only way to true fulfillment and satisfaction.
Unfortunately, too many refuse to count the costor, having counted, decide it
is too high. They do not count the costto God—the life of his Son—orthe
immense treasures awaiting all disciples in the kingdom. Jesus does not ask
anyone to give anything up without having given it up himself. Jesus'promise
is: "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or
mother or children or fields for my sake willreceive a hundred times as much
and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29NIV).
Gene Brooks - Jesus does not say“sell” or “give away,” but renounce. As
disciples of Jesus, we surrender to Him the title deed to all we possess. From
now on we live as those conscious thatwe are stewards of our Lord, and that
all we have belongs ultimately to Him.
Kent Hughes - When money or the things it can buy makes us hesitantabout
doing what we feel the Lord is calling us to do, we are the disciples of things,
not of Christ. Would-be disciples need to think about it, then say, “Lord, all I
have is yours.” One test of discipleship is what we are doing with our money.
Regardlessofour income, if we are not giving regularly and generously, we
are not living as Christ’s disciples. We cannot follow the Lord if he does not
have our hearts, and as Jesus said, your treasure is, there your heart will be
also” (Matthew 6:21). Does he have your treasure? Thenhe has your heart.

Does sucha life of sacrifice soundmonochromic and bland? Far from it! Such
a life brims with gusto and zest. (Ibid)
Mike Andrus - Jesus does not ask for much–only all that you have–your
possessions, your time, your talents, your career, your desires, your ideals,
your plans. He may not take them from you, but He does demand that you
surrender title to them. He does not ask that you give them awaybut rather
that you give them up. Obviously, the demands of discipleship are great, and
the costis significant. (Luke 14:25-35 Come at All Cost, But Count the Cost)
Kenneth Boa - Everything—family, friends, career, self—mustbe given over
to him without reservation. Whateverwe hold back will become a rival to
Jesus as a substitute source of our allegiance.
J C Ryle - The man who does wellfor himself is the man who gives up
everything for Christ's sake. He makes the best of bargains; he carries the
cross for a few years in this world, and in the world to come has everlasting
life. He obtains the best of possessions;he carries his riches with him beyond
the grave. He is rich in grace here, and he is rich in glory hereafter. And, best
of all, what he obtains by faith in Christ he never loses. It is "that good part
which is never takenaway."
ILLUSTRATION - When I think of this, I always tend to think of a story I
once heard about how animal catchers usedto catch wild monkeys for zoos. (I
don't know if this is true or not; but I suppose that if I ever have to catcha
monkey, this would be a goodway to do it.) (Ed: See blog on this subject) I
was told that they would setan empty glass bottle (Ed: Actually a coconut
with a hole) in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in
the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the bottle,
squeeze its paw down into the narrow neck of the bottle and grab the peanut.
Once it had grabbed a hold of the peanut, it couldn't withdraw its peanut-
filled paw from the bottle. Then, all that the catchers had to do was walk out

and take the monkey into captivity - bottle and all. They could walk, not run;
because no matter what might be about to happen to him, the greedy little
monkey would refuse to let go of the peanut. Would-be followers of Jesus are
often like that monkey. They hear about Jesus, andthey even begin to follow;
but they also wontlet go of the grip they have on the possessions ofthis life -
the income, the home, the cars, the life-style, the security. They would like to
follow Jesus dragging their 'pop-bottle' of this world's riches in tow if Jesus
would acceptthat. But when Jesus suddenly turns to them and says,
"Whoeverof you does not forsake allthat he has cannot be My disciple;" they
find that the costis higher than they are willing to pay; and they can't go any
further. (Here is a crazy youtube video - just watchvideo but don't read
comments which have some off colorlanguage-apologies!)
Hampton Keathley III summarizes the principles in Luke 14:25-33:
Loving Christ above all other relationships is the priority of discipleship.
The cross becomesthe focalpoint of identification with Christ. His death is
key. Gal 6:14
Discipleshipis not a free expedition.
I need to recognize the true ownerof all my possessions.
The failure in my stewardshipfrom God will costme my effectivenessfor
God. (See Counting the Cost)
A Proper Perspective -Jesus’words are neither complicated nor vague. He
simply says, “If you are going to call yourself one of My disciples, you must
release your grip on materialism.” To keepall this in proper perspective,
think of it this way. He is not saying that we cannotposses anything, but
things must not be allowedto possess us. To use His words, we must “give up”
our possessions. Corrie tenBoom, that saintly lady who endured such
brutality from the Nazis in Ravensbruck during World War II, once said that
she had learned to hold everything looselyin her hand. She said she

discovered, in her years of walking with Him, that when she graspedthings
tightly, it would hurt when the Lord would have to pry her fingers loose.
Disciples hold all “things” loosely. Do you? Canyou think of anything that has
a tap rootto your heart? Let go!Give it up to Him! Yes, it may be painful. . .
but how essential!- Charles Swindoll in Strengthening Your Grip. (Bolding
Added)
The Last Few Pounds
Whoeverof you does not forsake allthat he has cannotbe My disciple. —
Luke 14:33
Whateverweight-loss plan you choose, you’re bound to lose pounds—atleast
for a while. But most dieters reacha plateau before they reach their goal, and
many get discouragedwhenthe thrill leaves before all the weightdoes. Many
give up and go back to their old ways of eating.
Something similar happens in our Christian lives. When we begin our walk
with Jesus, we easilyshed many of the sins that have weighedus down. We
give dramatic testimonies about being freed from addictive behaviors. Then
the attention shifts to another new believer, and we discoverthat “little” sins
like jealousy, resentment, and angerdon’t drop away as readily as the “big”
ones. Some of us get so discouragedthat we lose sightof our commitment to
Christ and go back to some of our old ways of living.
When Jesus talkedabout the costof being His disciple (Luke 14:25-35), He
wanted those who heard Him to realize that believing in Him and following
Him involves more than starting something that is exciting. It means sticking
with something that is difficult.

So whether we’re talking about weightloss or spiritual gain, the messageis
the same:What matters most is not how we start but how we finish. By Julie
Ackerman Link (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand
Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Onward and upward your course plan today,
Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus'way;
Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,
Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. —Brandt
Perseverance makesthe difference betweenfailure and success.
Steven Cole - I believe that Jesus is getting at the factthat there are two
possible lords that we can serve and the two are exclusive:God or Mammon.
Mostof us think that we can combine them, with God taking the lead: “I’ll
serve God mostly, but I’d also like to serve money.” But Jesus says that won’t
work:“You cannotserve God and Mammon” (Lu 16:13, emphasis mine). In
other words, you can’t just add Jesus to your already materialistic lifestyle as
a way of rounding out your spiritual needs. To be a Christian means that you
have been bought with a price and you are not your own(1Co 6:19-20).
Nothing you own is your own. You become the slave of Jesus Christ and He
owns everything.
I like the way Juan Carlos Ortiz tells the story of the pearl of greatprice. A
man sees this pearl and says to the merchant, “I want this pearl. How much is
it?”

The sellersays, “It’s very expensive.” “How much?” “A lot!” “Well, do you
think I could buy it?” the man asks.
“Oh, yes,” says the merchant, “everyone canbuy it.”
“But I thought you said it was very expensive.” “I did.” “Well, how much?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
“All right, I’ll buy it.” “Okay, whatdo you have?”
“Well, I have $10,000 in the bank.” “Good, $10,000. Whatelse?” “That’s allI
have.” “Nothing more?” “Well, I have a few dollars more in my pocket.”
“How much?” “Let’s see … $100.”“That’s mine, too,” says the seller.
“What else do you have?” “That’s all, nothing else.” “Where do you live?” the
sellerasks. “Inmy house. Yes, I own a home.” The sellerwrites down,
“house.” “It’s mine.”
“Where do you expect me to sleep—in my camper?” “Oh, you have a camper,
do you? That, too. What else” “Am I supposedto sleepin my car?” “Oh, you
have a car?” “Yes, I own two of them.” “They’re mine now.”
“Look, you’ve takenmy money, my house, my camper, and my cars. Where is
my family going to live?” “So, you have a family?” “Yes, I have a wife and
three kids.” “They’re mine now.”

Suddenly the sellerexclaims, “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too!
Everything becomes mine—wife, children, house, money, cars, and you, too.”
Then he goes on, “Now, listen, I will allow you to use all these things for the
time being. But don’t forgetthat they’re all mine, just as you are. And
wheneverI need any of them, you must give them up, because I am now the
owner.” (Adapted from The Disciple [CreationHouse], pp. 34-35.)
That’s what Jesus means when He says that we must give up all our
possessionsin order to be His disciple. He isn’t just Lord of a tenth; He is
Lord of all. We are just managers of it for Him. Of course, in return we gain
all the riches of heavenfor all eternity. But, still, we need to sit down and
determine if we’re willing to follow Jesus as Lord of everything from our
families, to our possessions,to our very lives.
C T Studd's Example -C. T. Studd was the most outstanding cricketplayer in
England at the end of the nineteenth century. By 1882, he was consideredone
of the best cricketplayers in the world and, probably, the best known athlete
of his day in England. However, in 1884, afterhis brother George became
seriouslyill, Studd was confrontedby the question: "What is all the fame and
flattery worth when a man must face eternity?" His brother's illness had a
profound impact on him. Consequently, and againstthe wishes of his family,
he decided to forsake fame to serve the Lord through missionary work in
China. Along with six other students from Cambridge (togetherthey became
known as "the Cambridge Seven"), Studd servedas a pioneermissionary
under Hudson Taylor with the China Inland Mission.
On his twenty-fifth birthday, Studd inherited $145,000,a vast fortune in that
day. He had already determined it would all go into the work of the Lord. He
sent out huge checksto severalministries and gave the rest to his new wife,
Priscilla. Priscilla, who also viewed herselfas a disciple of Jesus, refused. She
said, "Charlie, whatdid the Lord tell the rich young man to do?" "Sell all."

"Wellthen, we will start clearwith the Lord at our wedding." They
proceededto give all of the rest of the money awayfor the Lord's work.
After ten years in China, Studd and his family begana ministry in India,
hoping the climate would be better for his asthma. The Lord used them
greatly as people were convertedto Jesus every single week. After nearly a
decade in India, they returned to England because ofhis wife's health. There,
Studd heard about the urgent need for missionaries in the wild, unexplored
interior of Africa. He was fifty years old and had become something of a
Christian celebrity in England. Yet, after discussing it with his now nearly
invalid wife, Priscilla, they agreedthat he should go to Africa without her. She
would stay home and recruit others to join him.
Studd left his family in England, compelled to go where no Christian had ever
been before. He went into the fiercestplace on earth in order to take the
gospelto those who neededto hear. One of the last messageshe gave in
England was on counting the cost:
But shall we, can it be possible that such as we shall march up the Golden
Streetwith such as these? (Ed: Those in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11)It
shall be for such as are found worthy! Then there is a chance for us yet!
Glory! Hallelujah! Hearts begin to burn! The glory of the deeds of these
heroes of old seems to scorchhearts and souls. What noble and utter sacrifices
they made! How God honored and blessedthem, and made them a blessing to
others then, in their lifetime, yes, and no here tonight! What was the spirit
which causedthese mortals so to triumph and to die? The Holy Spirit of God,
one of Whose chief characteristics is courage,a bravery, a lust for sacrifice for
God, and a joy in it which crucifies all human weakness andthe natural
desires of the flesh. This is our need tonight! Will God give to us as He gave to
them: Yes! What are the conditions? They are ever the same, Sellout! Gods
price is one. There is no discount. He gives all to such as give all. All! All!
Dpresentimperativeeath to all the world, to all the flesh, to the devil, and to
perhaps the worstenemy of all yourself.

ILLUSTRATION - A young man put his hand to the plow, as he pastoreda
church. His salarywas small and his burdens were big. The world did its best
to woo him. When the devil couldn't allure him, he attackedhim. He used the
saints as wellas the sinners. Disheartenedand discouraged, this gifted and
gracious man boarded a train for California. He was going back, brokenin
heart and in funds, but the Lord wantedhim and wooedhim. He counted the
cost, cut the connections, andHerbert Buffum confirmed his consecrationby
saying, "I'm going through whateverthe price may be." Finding a piece of
paper he wrote:
I'm going through, yes, I'm going through.
I'll pay the price whateverothers do;
I'll take the road with the Lord's despisedfew;
I'm going through, Jesus, I'm going through.
Herbert ended up writing 10,000Gospelsongs, with1000 being published.
When he died, the Los Angeles Times calledhim "The King of GospelSong
Writers." On his grave the epitaph reads:I have fought a goodfight. He was
determined to put the Lord first in his life. Unfortunately, this man was not.
(Mattoon)
Herbert Lockyer- The application of the parable is not hard to find. An
unfinished life is a more tragic spectaclethan a cement foundation without a
building. Too many are like John Bunyan's Pliable who turned back, and
who, like the builder in the parable, failed to count the costbefore he started
to lay the foundation, and was ridiculed for his shameful failure. Paul had to
rebuke those in the GalatianChurch who beganin the Spirit and ended up in
the flesh. "Ye did run well, who did hinder you?" Failure to adequately count
the costof following Christ results in an unfinished life.

That which costs nothing is worth nothing.
The discipleship to which Christ calls us means a life in which His claims must
have the pre-eminence.
If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all.
But if we count the costof a full surrender to His royal claims we may count,
also, on all the grace, aidand succorour complete identification with Him will
necessitate. In all this costliness ofdevotion to the divine will and purpose,
Jesus left us an example that we should follow His steps. He never asks ofus
what He has not done Himself. He has every right to ask us to leave our
father—He left His own Father, and the Father's house, when He came from
Heaven to earth. His earthly mother, Mary, had a secondaryplace in His
concern. Did He not rebuke her with the question, "Wistye not that I must be
about My Father's business?" He knew all about the shame, contempt,
humiliation, and anguish associatedwith a life lived in the will of God.
Dearestlord, teach me to be generous;teachme to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost. —Ignatius of Loyola,
Count the Costby James Smith - Luke 14:28
Man is not a mere creature of circumstances, like a plant. Christ expects us to
act as reasonable men, and to sit down and count the costbefore starting any
very serious undertaking. This "tower" referredto stands for beauty, safety
and prospect, and is applicable to all "characterbuilders" (v. 27). We cannot
count the costuntil we have first the vision of some greatpossibility before us.
No wise man desires his life to end like the tower of Babel, in shame and
confusion. To live the Christian life is indeed a greatand solemn undertaking.

Many begin this tower and seemnot able to finish, bringing themselves into
ridicule, and the towerinto a laughing stock. Count the cost.
I.—THE COST OF BEING A CHRISTIAN. It is costly. It costs some more
than others. Natural temperament, early training and environment may
influence greatly. Whateverthe price, it must be paid. We must count on—
1. GIVING UP ALL SIN. Christ gave Himself for us that He might "redeem
us from all iniquity" (Titus 2:14). Sin is the worstof all investments. Every
scheme in which it has a place is rotten. The wickedmust forsake his ways.
2. SURRENDERINGTHE WILL. "What wilt Thou have me to do?" must be
the attitude of the soul. We must count what it will costthe self life to put
Christ first in everything, and to seek first His Kingdom.
3. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. We are to go after Him bearing His
cross (v. 27). By His cross the world is to be crucified unto us, and we to the
world (Gal. 6:14). When we find our all in Christ it is easyto give up all for
Him. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
4. OPPOSITION BYTHE WORLD. The world that hated Him will hate you
also. Noahby his work of faith condemned the world (Heb. 11:7), and no
doubt the world condemned him. Abel had to suffer because his works were
righteous. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of goodcheer, I have
overcome the world.
5. TEMPTATIONBY THE DEVIL. The ungodly are not tempted as the
Christians are. Through the lust of the eye and the pride of life he still offers
his subtle illusions. But Christ is able to deliver and succourthe tempted.
6. SELF-DENIAL. "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself."
The Christian life is a life of faith in the Son of God, and so must be a life of
self-denial. "NotI, but Christ." Christ counted the costwhen He came forth
to live the life of the Fatheramong sinful men. As the Fathersent Me, so have
I sent you." But consideralso—

II.—THE COST OF NOT BEING A CHRISTIAN. If the soul's wealth of
capacityand poweris invested in the things of this world, utter and eternal
bankruptcy will surely follow. Can you afford this? The business of a
Christless life is an awfully expensive one. He shall suffer loss. What a loss!
The loss of—
1 The Forgiving Love of God the Father.
2 The Saving Powerof Christ the Son.
3 The Comforting Presenceofthe Holy Spirit.
4 The Assuring Promises of His Holy Word.
5 The Joyof Service in His prevailing Name.
6 The BlessedHope of seeing Him, and being like Him.
7 The Glories and Rewards of His Everlasting Kingdom and Presence.
Count the Cost. What did it costthe prodigal to come? His rags and his
wretchedness
RADICAL LIVING - Johnny Li, a former colleague andcurrent missionary
trainer in China shares about his meeting with two young pastors there: As I
entered the house, I surprised to observe the humble existence of these two
mighty men of God. They were the leaders of house churches in their
provinces, which had grown the past nine years to more than 200,000
Christians. They were both in their late twenties and even though they have
been in the ministry since they were nineteen their enthusiasm reflected
beautifully. Everybody knew about the work of the Lord through these
faithful servants. I also knew that they both spent severalyears in prison in
extremely harsh conditions, but nothing prepared me for this humble home

and modest lifestyle. There were no furniture items, no ornaments, and no
beds in the small house. Their clothes were hanging on the wall due to a lack
of cupboards. The only furniture was a table and a chair to sit on. There was a
blanket on the ground that was obviously used as the bed. Togetherwe sat
down and I started questioning them about their activities and work that was
bearing much fruit. “How often do you travel to neighbouring villages?”I
asked. “As often as possible,” they replied. “Where do you obtain your
finances to do so?” “We sellwhatwe have,” they replied and supplied me with
an explanation to the question about the empty house which I dared not ask.
“We sold the chairs and we sold the cupboard,” they continued. “And that
supplied much-needed funds for our outreach.” “Whathappens when you
have nothing more to sell?” One pastor lookedsadly down to the ground and
answeredsoftly, “We find something else to sell.” “Butwhat?” I kept on
pressuring them. “You have already soldeverything and have nothing left to
sell. How will you raise money now?” Then came the startling answer. “We
sell our blood on the black market. We getabout five dollars but the need is so
greatthat we have to do something to tell the people around us about Jesus.”
“How can you do this” I asked. “How canyou justify selling your blood to
send out missionaries?”Without hesitation they answered, “We have no
choice!The need is so great!”
WILLIAM BARCLAY
There are two suggestive truths within this passage.
(i) It is possible to be a followerof Jesus without being a disciple; to be a
camp-followerwithout being a soldier of the king; to be a hanger-on in some
greatwork without pulling one's weight. Once someone was talking to a great
scholarabout a younger man. He said, "So and so tells me that he was one of
year students." The teacheranswereddevastatingly, "He may have attended

my lectures, but he was not one of my students." It is one of the supreme
handicaps of the church that in it there are so many distant followers of Jesus
and so few realdisciples.
(ii) It is a Christian's first duty to count the costof following Christ. The tower
which the man was going to build was probably a vineyard tower. Vineyards
were often equipped with towers from which watchwas kept againstthieves
who might stealthe harvest. An unfinished building is always a humiliating
thing. In Scotland, we may, for instance, think of that weird structure called
"M'Caig's Folly" which stands behind Oban.
In every sphere of life a man is calledupon to count the cost. In the
introduction to the marriage ceremony according to the forms of the Church
of Scotland, the minister says, "Marriageis not to be entered upon lightly or
unadvisedly, but thoughtfully, reverently, and in the fear of God." A man and
woman must count the cost.
It is so with the Christian way. But if a man is daunted by the high demands
of Christ let him remember that he is not left to fulfil them alone. He who
calledhim to the steeproad will walk with him every step of the way and be
there at the end to meet him.
ALBERT BARNES
Verse 31
With ten thousand to meet … - Whether he will be able, with the forces which
he “has,” to meet his enemy. Christ here perhaps intends to denote that the

enemies which we have to encounter in following him are many and strong,
and that “our” strength is comparatively feeble. “To meet him.” To contend
with him. To gain a victory over him.
Verse 32

can he be a true Christian if he “expects that he will” turn back. If he comes
not with a “full” purpose “always” to be a Christian; if he means not to
poverty, and pain, and death, without turning back, he “cannot” be a disciple
of the Lord Jesus
JIM BOMKAMP
VS 14:31-33 - “31 “Orwhat king, when he sets out to meet another king in
battle, will not first sit down and considerwhether he is strong enoughwith
ten thousand men to encounter the one coming againsthim with twenty
thousand? 32 “Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation
and asks forterms of peace. 33 “So then, none of you can be My disciple who
does not give up all his own possessions.” - Jesus gives the secondillustration
of what it means to count the costof being His disciple: a king who calculates
whether or not he will be able to win before he initiates a battle
4.1. The secondillustration showing the importance of counting
the costbefore you begin something is that of a king who considers going up in
battle againstan army. It is essentialfor any rational generalor king before

initiating a battle or war to first calculate whetheror not he will have the
powerand resources to win. History has shown time and againthe folly of
men starting wars that they cannotwin, and war always very costlyin terms
of lives and numerous other consequences.
4.2. Just in the lastcouple of years we have seenSaddam Hussein,
who used to be the president of Iraq, make the huge mistake of refusing to
submit to the United Nation’s mandates regarding inspectors looking for the
manufacture of weapons ofmass destruction, when the United States and her
allies promised that if those mandates were not followedthat warwould
result. Saddam was so full of himself that he felt that he was invincible yet his
country fell to the invading U.S. coalition forces in just a couple of weeks. I’ll
bet he now wishes he had counted the costof his decision.
4.3. In the same way, Jesus stateshere that a personcannot be his
disciple unless he first calculatesthe costand is willing to ‘give up all his own
possessions.’ Discipleshipwith Jesus means that a person must submit
himself entirely to the Lord to do the Lord’s will and be the personthat the
Lord wants him to be. Nothing must be allowedto stand in the way of
obedience to the Lord.
GENE BROOKS

Luke 14:31-32 – Measure the strength of the foe: The king did not go
headlong into battle without counting the cost(Luke 14:31-32;Prov 20:18;
24:6). Herod Antipas had recently lost a warwith a neighboring Roman
vassal, so the image of foolhardy war would be meaningful as well to Jesus’
hearers. They must considerthe costin identifying with Him. Otherwise,
when persecutioncame they would forsake Christ.
c. ILLUSTRATION: In the 17th Century, the French mathematician,
physicist, inventor, writer and Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal(1623-
1662)who developed mathematicalprobablility theory, put forward Pascal’s
Wager. His idea was that, rationally, whether or not to believe in Jesus’
Lordship and atonement should depend on two factors:the value of what you
stand to gain or lose by believing or not, and the probability that it is true.
These two things determine the probabilities of your receiving those gains or
losses.The Bible says that belief in Jesus has finite costs – foregoing the
passing pleasures ofsin (Heb 11:24; Luke 14:28-35), living an upright life,
possible persecution, but the benefit is eternallife with God, a benefit of
infinite value. On the other hand, if you rejectJesus then you may have finite
benefits (enjoying whatever happiness the world and the Devil offer, being in
charge of yourself, doing whateveryou want, etc.), but you will go to hell and
be separatedforever from God and all goodness, aninfinite cost. Now suppose
there is only one chance in a billion that Jesus is who the Bible says He is and
that hell truly exists. Then it is still absolutelyworthwhile to believe in Jesus
because althoughyou have a very high chance of paying some finite cost,
nevertheless a tiny chance at an infinite reward still has infinite value – one
billionth of plus-infinity is till plus-infinity. On the other hand, it is equally
non-worthwhile to disbelieve, because, althoughyou have a high chance of
gaining some finite amount of benefits, even a one-billionth chance of minus-
infinity has a value of minus-infinity, which outweighs all finite benefits. Only
those who are absolutelycertain that the Bible is false, who can give absolute
zero probability to its truth, can rationally choose to disbelieve. Everyone is
facedwith Pascal’sWager, andin every case the rational way of counting the
costalways leads to trusting in Jesus.
d. The Apostle Paul understood this. In Philippians 3:7-8 (AMP), he says, “7
But whateverformer things I had that might have been gains to me, I have

come to consideras [one combined] loss for Christ’s sake. 8 Yes, furthermore,
I count everything as loss compared to the possessionofthe priceless privilege
(the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme
advantage)of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressivelybecoming
more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and
recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I
have lost everything and considerit all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in
order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),”
e. Luke 14:33 – give up everything: The word here (apotassetai)means “say
farewell” when used of a personor “renounce” whenapplied to things. Jesus
does not say“sell” or “give away,” but renounce. As disciples of Jesus, we
surrender to Him the title deed to all we possess. Fromnow on we live as those
conscious thatwe are stewards of our Lord, and that all we have belongs
ultimately to Him.
f. ILLUSTRATION: On California Prayer Walk and on Operation
Restorationin the area of Hope Mills, NC, where there was a high
concentrationof witch-craft, because ofthe truth of Prov. 26:2, our prayer
team renounced ownershipor possessionin all things, relationships, people,
and affirmed that everything was brought under Lordship of Jesus Christ.
g. APPLICATION: There must be an inward resignationtowardanything
but Christ. There will be times that that inward separationis what keeps you
moving forward in commitment to Christ. There must be a complete inward
surrender of everything to Christ for the sake ofChrist so that when the
outward trial comes, we may be prepared to conquer in the fight. He fights
well who has first fought and conqueredwithin, and lives a surrendered life.'
THOMAS CONSTABLE
Verses 31-33

The parable of the king going to battle14:31-33
Verse 33
Jesus now applied the parables (cf. Luke 14:26-27). Obviously the Twelve had
not given awayeverything they owned, but they had adopted a lifestyle
conducive to fulfilling their mission that involved relatively few possessions.
Therefore we should probably understand Jesus" commandas requiring a
willingness to part with possessionsas necessaryto follow Jesus faithfully (cf.
Luke 12:33). Elsewhere Jesustaught His disciples to manage the possessions
that they did have wisely ( Luke 16:1-12). A personshould not begin a venture
without the assurance ofsufficient resourcesto finish it. Similarly one should
not begin following Jesus without being willing to sacrifice anything to
complete that project successfully.
STEVEN COLE
WE MUST GIVE UP ALL OUR POSSESSIONS(14:33).
After telling the two parables about considering the costbefore making a
commitment, Jesus concludes, “Sotherefore, no one of you can be My disciple
who does not give up all his ownpossessions.” DoesJesus meanthis literally,
that we must get rid of everything we own and take a vow of poverty in order
to be a Christian? What does He mean?
I believe that Jesus is getting at the fact that there are two possible lords that
we can serve and the two are exclusive:God or Mammon. Mostof us think
that we can combine them, with God taking the lead: “I’ll serve God mostly,

but I’d also like to serve money.” But Jesus says that won’t work:“You
cannot serve God and Mammon” (Luke 16:13, emphasis mine). In other
words, you can’t just add Jesus to your already materialistic lifestyle as a way
of rounding out your spiritual needs. To be a Christian means that you have
been bought with a price and you are not your own(1 Cor. 6:19-20). Nothing
you own is your own. You become the slave of Jesus Christ and He owns
everything.
I like the way Juan Carlos Ortiz tells the story of the pearl of greatprice. A
man sees this pearl and says to the merchant, “I want this pearl. How much is
it?”
The sellersays, “It’s very expensive.” “How much?” “A lot!” “Well, do you
think I could buy it?” the man asks.
“Oh, yes,” says the merchant, “everyone canbuy it.”
“But I thought you said it was very expensive.” “I did.” “Well, how much?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
“All right, I’ll buy it.” “Okay, whatdo you have?”
“Well, I have $10,000 in the bank.” “Good, $10,000. Whatelse?” “That’s allI
have.” “Nothing more?” “Well, I have a few dollars more in my pocket.”
“How much?” “Let’s see … $100.”“That’s mine, too,” says the seller.

“What else do you have?” “That’s all, nothing else.” “Where do you live?” the
sellerasks. “Inmy house. Yes, I own a home.” The sellerwrites down,
“house.” “It’s mine.”
“Where do you expect me to sleep—in my camper?” “Oh, you have a camper,
do you? That, too. What else” “Am I supposedto sleepin my car?” “Oh, you
have a car?” “Yes, I own two of them.” “They’re mine now.”
“Look, you’ve takenmy money, my house, my camper, and my cars. Where is
my family going to live?” “So, you have a family?” “Yes, I have a wife and
three kids.” “They’re mine now.”
Suddenly the sellerexclaims, “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too!
Everything becomes mine—wife, children, house, money, cars, and you, too.”
Then he goes on, “Now, listen, I will allow you to use all these things for the
time being. But don’t forgetthat they’re all mine, just as you are. And
wheneverI need any of them, you must give them up, because I am now the
owner.” (Adapted from The Disciple [CreationHouse], pp. 34-35.)
That’s what Jesus means when He says that we must give up all our
possessionsin order to be His disciple. He isn’t just Lord of a tenth; He is
Lord of all. We are just managers of it for Him. Of course, in return we gain
all the riches of heavenfor all eternity. But, still, we need to sit down and
determine if we’re willing to follow Jesus as Lord of everything from our
families, to our possessions,to our very lives.

BOB DEFFINBAUGH
First, I believe that Jesus wantedall men to know, in advance, that the price
of discipleship was high. Yes, they were all enthusiastic and eagernow, but
Jerusalemwas coming, as was the cross. Jesus did not want men and women
following Him without knowing that there was a “cross”forthem as well.
Jesus wantedmen to calculate the costof following Him as His disciple.
Second, Jesus wantedmen to chooseto be His disciple purposefully, rather
than to unthinkingly follow after Him. If Jesus was notafter a large following
of uncommitted followers, neitherwas He pressing them for a quick decision.
The very difficulty of His words causedthe people to have to go awayand
ponder what He meant. Furthermore, in His two illustrations, Jesus saidthat
eachman should have satdown and consideredwhat he purposed to do.
Sitting down implied that some time and much thought should have been
devoted to this matter of discipleship. Quick decisions are only for those who
want unthinking commitment; slow, deliberate decisions are for those who
want long-term commitments.
Third, Jesus not looking for those who had the resourcesto follow Him, but
for those who, after thinking about it, knew they did not. Forme, this is one of
the most important conclusions I have reachedfrom my study of this text. At
first, I thought that Jesus was, like the Marines, “looking for a few goodmen,”
those few who would count the cost, and who found in themselves sufficient
commitment and resources to follow-through in their commitment to the end.
But then I realized that none of the disciples of our Lord followed through.
When the “going gottough,” so to speak, the disciples “gotlost.” Theyall
forsook Jesus, evenPeter, who assuredJesus that he was committed, that he
would never forsake Him (cf. Luke 22:31-34). If Peter, James, and John, the
three closestfollowersofChrist, could not follow through, why would we dare
to think that we would?

It also occurredto me that in both of the illustrations which our Lord used,
both of the men failed to follow through. Neither had the means to finish what
they had started. Do we think that we have the means to be His disciples? Do
we think that our level of commitment is sufficient to sustain us when family
and friends forsake us, as the Bible says they will?
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring
peace, but a sword. ForI came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER,
AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-
LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL
BE THE MEMBERSOF HIS HOUSEHOLD. He who loves father or mother
more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more
than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow
after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he
who has losthis life for My sake shallfind it” (Matthew 10:34-39, NASB).
I maintain that no one has the resources in and of himself to be a disciple of
Jesus Christ, any more than he or she has the resources to earn God’s favor
and eternallife. This is preciselywhy Jesus beganby teaching that in order to
be His disciple one would have to “hate” his family, to renounce his
dependence upon family, so as to depend fully upon Christ alone. Our Lord is
not trying to get these followers to muster up enoughcommitment to become
His disciples, but to reckonwith the reality that no one has the resources to
follow Him, apart from His enablement. Discipleship, then, is not following
Christ with sufficient means to do what He commands, but with utter
dependence upon Him to enable us to do His will. Both the willing and the
doing come from Him, and not from us. The whole conceptof the “company
of the committed” collapses, simply because no one is that capable or that
committed. The key element of discipleship is not obedience, forwe are
incapable of that in and of ourselves, but dependence, for without Him, we
can do nothing.

Christ’s Conclusion
(14:33-35)
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot
be my disciple. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty
again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He
who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Verse 33 really makes sense, whenapproachedin the light of this view of
discipleship, which we have just outlined. Discipleshipis not a matter of how
much we have to offer, but of renouncing all that we think we have to offer.
The cults all seek disciples, but they usually do not encourage their “disciples”
to “give up” all their possessions, but to “give them away,” namely, to give
their possessionsto the leader. In this way, the disciples of a cult sustain their
leader. The cult leaderdoes not sustainthem. Jesus wants it the other way. To
be His disciple you do not bring anything to Him, to prove your commitment
and worthiness, you leave all behind, trusting only on Him and on His faithful
provision of all that we need to do what He calls us to do. This is true
discipleship. Discipleship, like salvation, begins by recognizing the high price
required, and that we are unable to meet it, and thus coming to Christ empty-
handed, looking to Him to do what we cannot.
Rev. Bruce Goettsche
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war againstanother king. Will he not
first sit down and considerwhether he is able with ten thousand men to
oppose the one coming againsthim with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able,

he will send a delegationwhile the other is still a long way off and will ask for
terms of peace.
In this case the man doesn’t have a greatdeal of time to make a decision. An
army is advancing againsthim. The King must take time to considerwhether
his army has a chance of victory. If there is no goodchance of victory the King
would be wise to negotiate terms for peace.
Jesus is saying don’t enlist in his army unless you are willing to abide by His
command. Don’t declare you want to be His followerunless you know what is
at stake. He is telling us not to respond emotionally (even though our emotion
is involved); He wants us to respond to Him rationally. This comes as a
surprise to many today who think that you need to have lobotomy before you
become a Christian. Jesus says the opposite…think about it, count the cost,
know what you are getting in to.
In many countries, declaring allegiance to Jesus couldget you killed. In some
Muslim or tight knit Asian communities declaring allegiance to Christ is seen
as an actof treason. You may be executed. Our costmay not be as greatbut,
Your belief in a Creatormight costyou your job at a University
Your stand for Christ and the moral Laws He has given might cause you to
lose an election, be fired from a job, or be the focus of protests.
Your refusal to be part of activities that involve illegal or excessive drinking,
immoral behaviors, and just plan foolishness, maycause you to be ostracized
by your friends

Your pursuit of personalholiness may necessitateyou abandon some of your
former activities and friends and create an uncomfortable situation with
others.
Your insistence on conducting business honestly may cause you to lose
contracts to less scrupulous people.
The point is that we need to understand that following Christ will not be easy
and it will not be “business as usual”. He calls us to be willing to follow Him
even aheadof our own comfort and even our ownlives. If we don’t realize
this, we cannotbe His follower.
Those Who Can’t Let Go
The lastdisqualified for discipleship is in verse 33
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannotbe
my disciple.
Do you remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler? He wanted to know
what was needed to obtain eternal life. Jesus told Him he neededto obey the
law perfectly (that is the only wayto be savedby our own strength . . . we
must never sin). This man felt he had lived an obedient life. Jesus told Him
that he also needed to sell everything he had and give it to the poor.

Jesus was demanding we give up all we have

Jesus was demanding we give up all we have

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