COUNT THE COST

"FOR WHICH OF YOU, intending to build a tower, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND COUNT THE COST, WHETHER HE HAS ENOUGH TO FINISH IT."
Luke 14:28 (NKJV)

Counting the cost of following Christ Jesus is of utmost importance, because of all the things entailed to be a true disciple. Whoever would be a true disciple would pass through something: "YES, AND ALL WHO DESIRE TO LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV). Being the fact that we live in a broken world, practicing the principles of God's Kingdom on earth might be challenging—difficult.
The system of the world is in a sharp contrast to the principles of God's Kingdom on earth. Thus, whoever would abide with the principles, or live by the principles of God's Kingdom, would face or suffer persecution (1 Timothy 3:12). The system of the world is against the righteous standard of God (Luke 6:22; John 15:18).
This is the reason why Jesus Christ was unambiguous or unequivocal about it, He wanted whoever is making the decision of following Him to prepare and make up his or her mind, because of the challenges or persecutions that such would face.

Jesus would not want to cajole anyone into being a disciple of His, He wanted whoever is taking the step to do it out of personal conviction, known fully what it entails. That is, He would not want the decision or commitment to be done rashly or out of ignorance; He wanted the person to be fully convinced about the step being taken (Matthew 10:34-39).
The illustration Jesus gave is, whoever is building a tower would have to count the cost, otherwise he might not be able to finish it (Luke 14:26-30).
Jesus wanted whoever is making the decision of being His disciple to count the cost If he or she would be able to follow through—follow Him to the end.
The cost are mentioned in that same chapter:
26 “IF ANYONE COMES TO ME AND DOES NOT HATE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, WIFE AND CHILDREN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YES, AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 27 AND WHOEVER DOES NOT BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE" (Luke 14:26,27 NKJV).
The word hate in the Bible passage above means to loveless. In other words, to be a disciple means you would have to loveless your father, mother, wife and children, and your own life as well (Luke 14:26).
It simply means If the demand made by by God, Jesus, clashes with the demand of any of these people mentioned in the passage, you attend to that of God first. He should be number in your life. He and His should be above all else: "AND HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN" (2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV).
Are you ready to pay the price for being a true disciple?
Peace.