Bible Verses About Counting the Cost

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

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

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt."

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

What does the Bible say about counting the cost?

Jesus never offered cheap discipleship. He told prospective followers to count the cost before committing. Key King James Version passages include Luke 14:28, Luke 14:33, Matthew 16:25-26. This page collects 10 KJV verses about counting the cost, each quoted in full.

What does it mean to count the cost?

It means honestly evaluating what following Jesus will require — sacrifice, self-denial, possible persecution — before committing. Jesus doesn't want halfhearted followers; He wants fully devoted disciples.

Is the cost of following Jesus worth it?

Absolutely. Paul said everything he lost was 'dung' compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). The treasure of knowing Jesus and gaining eternal life far surpasses anything we could give up.