Before You Commit, How Do You Count the Cost

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Doing Business With God

Before You Commit, How Do You Count the Cost By Rick Warren — Apr 17, 2015 “It is foolish and rash to make a promise to the Lord before counting the cost.” (Proverbs 20:25TLB) When you have a major decision to make, the Bible says you need to count the cost: “It is foolish and rash to make a promise to the Lord before counting the cost” (Proverbs 20:25 TLB). Every decision has a price tag. You have to ask yourself what your decision will cost in four areas: time, money, energy, and relationships. I am basically giving you permission to tell people, “I’ll get back to you.” It’s OK to ponder and count the cost. Don’t be pressured, because there is a law of life that Proverbs and Ecclesiastes teach: It’s always easier to get in than get out. It’s easier to get in debt than out of debt. It’s easier to get into a relationship than out of a relationship. It’s easier to fill your schedule than fulfill your schedule. It’s always easier to get in than get out. Luke 14:28-29 says, “If you want to build a tower, you first sit down and decide how much it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job. If you don’t, you might lay the foundation, but you would not be able to finish. Then all who would see it would make fun of you” (NCV). Before I started Saddleback Church I had to count the cost to me in terms of time, money, energy, and my family. The first year budget of Saddleback Church that included all staff salaries was $60,000. I knew that there would be sacrifices that had to be made in the startup, and I had to ask myself, “Is it worth it?” Oh, yeah — it’s worth it! Knowing that thousands of people are going to be in Heaven for eternity through the ministry of Saddleback Church makes it all worth it. So here’s the question you need to ask when you’re making a major decision: Is it worth it? Count the cost before you commit. Click here to play today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick. Talk It Over Why do you think it’s important to count the cost of a decision in terms of your energy? In what decision do you need to tell others, “Let me think about it”? How do you think they will respond? What makes a decision that will cost you a great deal of money, time, and energy worth it?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6vk

 

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Troubles Won't Last

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!"
2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT

TODAY'S WORD:

In this life, God warns that we will have trials and tribulations. The good news is that He also promises to deliver us from them all! Now, He doesn't necessarily say that He will deliver us instantly, or the way we expect, or on our schedule. It can be tempting to get discouraged when things don't happen the way you expect. But when you feel like trouble is surrounding you, that's when you have to dig your heels in and say, "I'm not giving up because God promised me victory!" 

If you are going through a dark time today, keep moving through it! Remember, it's always darkest just before the dawn appears. That difficulty didn't come to stay, it came to pass. Your job is to stay in faith and keep praising and thanking Him for delivering you. Set your hope in Him, stir up your faith, and keep believing because soon you will see the victory God has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for giving me the strength to overcome every obstacle I face in life. I set my mind on You. I set my hope on Your love knowing that You are paving the way to victory all the days of my life in Jesus' name! Amen.