It's True
You get what you pay for !
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"
Luke 14:28, NIV
Everything has a price. Sometimes, it's smart to evaluate the costs. Like...opportunity costs and financial costs. There's the high price of discipline, sacrifice and sleep. The cost of relationships, health and wellness.
It all depends on what you want...
Some people want to ignore God and be successful, rich and famous. There is a price attached to that desire. They may have to pay the price of working 80 hour weeks, not attending their kids' school functions, being away from home, traveling on business, being stressed out, feeling empty, troubling their own marriage and opening themselves up to temptations they are not prepared to resist. In the end…they'll get everything they paid for.
Some people want to worship themselves, their kids, material things, athletics and the like. There's a price attached. They may have to pay the price of forking over thousands of dollars for the desired toys, tickets, equipment, registrations, camps and tournaments. They may have to pay the price of dissatisfaction, family fragmentation, foregone family vacations and other things due to a busy "keeping up with the Joneses," competitive schedule. Mom, dad and the kids may not be able to attend church or cultivate deep friendships due to their priorities. One day…they will get a return on everything they paid for.
Some people want to party, get high, be popular and run with the "in" crowd. There's a price. They may have to pay the price of doing things they don't really want to do. They may have to compromise on their personal values. They may discover their kids have become just like them. They may have to pretend to be someone they are not. In time, they'll receive the things they've paid for.
Some people want to develop a strong Christian family with tight bonds. There is a price. They may have to pay the price of spending quality time together and developing patterns of good communication. They may have to establish habits and make sacrifices for the good of the family. Parents have to figure out how to navigate all kinds of things and they must pay a price to be good role models and set the example. Kids have a price to pay in being obedient and flowing with the family plan. As the years go by, the family will get exactly what they paid for.
Some people want to know God, be full of faith and impact eternity. There's a big price. They may have to pay the price of being alone with the Lord and His Word for an extended season (or a few decades) in order to know Him and be equipped so they have something to give to others. They may have to give up doing what they want to do on weekends, during school breaks, or during holidays. They may have to serve and lead even when they feel unqualified. They may have to believe when they don't feel like it, fight the fight of faith when they want to quit and do uncomfortable, selfless things—especially when it's not convenient. In due season, God will see to it that they reap exactly what they've sown.
There are a thousand more examples of the simple law of economics at work in our lives every day. It's really true—there is a price for everything. Today, as you look at your future, may you be encouraged as you answer these important questions: What do you want? What price are you willing to pay?
God Bless!
Pastor T
