What does that cost? What is the cost of this? Well, we know for a fact that the cost can include times when we are greatly disappointed. Hasn’t that been the case? The cost is more than money. There is major disappointment that will occur as the kingdom is shown forth. [Or the] loss of opportunity to come alongside of a brother or sister and to watch them flourish under the gospel. This may be a cost as well, and something that has to be weighed. Is it worth our time and our resources to invest in one, hoping that the Spirit of God will cause them to flourish under the gospel? What is the cost? The cost can be your time. We live in a culture where time is of value. The cost can be your resources. There are things that you give and things that are given in the name of mercy – through the diaconate those things are administered.
But I want to tell you that the cost is higher than those things. The cost is higher than money. The cost is higher than a line item on the budget. The cost is greater than your personal disappointment. The cost is greater than the opportunities, whether taken or lost. The cost is greater than the time invested in mercy ministry. The cost of mercy is greater than your resources given. The cost, congregation, is your very life. Jesus Christ calls us to a life of discipleship that includes giving up your very life. Jesus says,
Nathan EshelmanWhoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it(Matthew 16:25). So we think about mercy and we think about cost and we want to see the kingdom of God built. But so many times we give lip service to the kingdom of God and we say,Yes, of course we want to see the kingdom of God built, but I only have time to invest in my kingdom.Friends, we are called to give our very lives for the sake of the gospel!1
25 For whoever would save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.