THE PARABLE OF THE TOWER

Mike Johnson

The “Parable of the Tower” is in Luke 14:28-30. A similar parable, The “Parable of the King,” is recorded in verses 31-32. Both of these parables show the importance of “counting the cost.” The focus of this article will be the first parable. It reads:  “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 — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”

Context

 Luke 14:25 indicates that Jesus was very popular with the people at this point in his ministry, and there were many people with Him. It was at this time that He presented some terms of true discipleship.

Verse 26 says, “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.” This verse does not mean we are to hate our relatives. Jesus uses the word “hate” in this verse comparatively. It means “love less than.” (Consider Genesis 29:30-31, in connection with Jacob’s feelings for Rachel and Leah.) The meaning is that we must not love our father, mother, wife, etc., more than Christ. Matthew 10:37 explains the concept as it says, “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.” In the context of our parable, Jesus said (vs. 27), “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” No doubt, many people felt that this teaching was harsh and drastic. They might have imagined that following Christ would be easy. Thus, Jesus presented parables about counting the cost.

The Tower

 In the parable, Jesus spoke of the wisdom of counting the cost before building a tower. He pointed out that if a person is going to construct a tower, he would need to determine ahead of time if there are sufficient funds to finish. If not, he may not be able to finish, and then, as Jesus pointed out, others will come along and ridicule him.

Most have seen houses or buildings that have stood for months or years in a partially completed state. Sometimes, the foundation may be all that is on the site. I recall, from many years ago, having seen a large hotel in northeast Alabama, only partially completed, and it appeared to have been that way for quite some time. There might be various reasons for a structure standing in a partially completed state. Some are undoubtedly not finished simply because the owner did not COUNT THE COST. Thus, the structure would be a monument to a lack of wisdom and forethought.

A person thinking about becoming a Christian needs to count the cost in advance, which seems to be the main point of the parable. The life of a Christian will not always be easy, and sacrifices will be required. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” In John 14:20, Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” Regardless of what happens, we must always put Jesus first (Mt. 6:33). After presenting the two parables, Jesus said in verse 33, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” We must be willing to deny ourselves. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said, “. . . If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Many do not count the cost before they become Christians. As a result, they may become like the people represented by the stony soil in the “Parable of the Sower” (Mt. 13). These people received the word with joy but only endured for a time. As verse 21 further explains, “. . . For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

The impression must not be left that the Christian life is not a happy one. The child of God is the only one who can have real happiness. He can have joy both on earth and in the afterlife. Even amidst difficult times, the child of God can be joyful. 1 Peter 4:14 informs us, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you . . . .”

A person must count the cost. We must understand that the life of a Christian is to involve self-denial and following God’s Word. There may be tribulations and persecutions, but a Christian should be determined to remain faithful, no matter what.