“lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,” – Luke 14:29.
As I meditated on the above scripture, I noted again that the glory is not in starting a thing, but in having enough to finish it. Anyone can start something, but do they have enough to finish what they started? Anything you start and lack the capacity or resources to finish ends in shame.
You can start a family, but are you sacrificial enough to sustain it? You can start having children, but can you train them in the way of the Lord? You can start a business, but do you have the tenacity and discipline to keep it going? You can start a relationship, but do you have the patience to keep love alive? You can start a prayer meeting, but do you have the fire to keep it going?
Jesus, analysing this pandemic called ‘unfinished project/business,’ started this discussion from the issue of following Him. He said in Luke 14:27-28, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Straightway, He continued, “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.”
Following Jesus is not easy. To be His disciple, we must hate our own lives (Luke 14:26). There are crosses to bear, and Jesus warns us to sit down and count the cost first.
Key Points to Note
1. SIT DOWN FIRST
Whether it’s business, career, relationships, or church activities, don’t rush into anything this year. Jesus said, “SIT DOWN.” Discipline yourself to wait. Don’t just wait to wait. Wait to hear the voice of God. In today’s language, we might say, “relax” or “chillax.” Just because something looks promising doesn’t mean it will end well. Allow God Himself to instruct you on what to do. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings as eagles.
2. COUNT THE COST
Take stock and check the resources you have. Do you have the capacity—mentally, physically, financially, etc.—to follow through, or are you relying solely on faith? It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t mention faith in this passage yet. There is a place for faith, but there is also a place for counting the cost. Do you have enough human resources to take on the project? What do you have in your house (2 Kings 4:2)? Even if it seems small, like the “pot of oil,” you need to recognise it. Do you have a budget for the project? Without knowing your direction, it’s hard to know when you’ve arrived.
3. BE STRATEGIC AND PRACTICAL
Luke 14:28 (Amplified Bible) asks, “To see if he has enough to finish it.” Be strategic and practical in your approach. Do you have enough? Yes or no. I know that question might make you feel like you’re lacking faith. But faith must be backed by action. If you realise you don’t have enough, the cost counting from step 2 will help you identify what’s missing and how to pull in the necessary resources. For instance, Dr. Oyedepo recruited 1,000 staff during a fast, accounting for the human cost of the first 1,000 churches. Don’t be a naive Christian—faith and strategy must go hand in hand. Recognise what you have and what’s required, then make your prayers more meaningful. The sufficiency needed to finish is what gives the rest its significance.
4. CONSULTATION AND CONVERSATION
If you find that you don’t have enough to confront or complete a task, consult and converse. I’ve found that things often open up through conversation and consultation. Sometimes, you need to seek advice from others, and other times, you need to sit at the negotiating table and have a dialogue that can lead to completion. Consultation is one of the most valuable things you can do, but many people are too proud to engage in it. Whether with people above, at the same level, or below you, someone always knows something you don’t. Conversations open doors of opportunity you might never have known existed, especially with those you need to engage with. It could be the landlord you never thought would sell his house, your boss who’s looking to offload his business, or the person threatening legal action—sometimes, all it takes is a conversation. Not every conversation has to end in an argument. As Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Jesus Himself said, if someone threatens war and you don’t have enough to fight, send words of peace and seek reconciliation (Luke 14:31-32, 12:53-59). Not all battles are worth fighting.
5. EMPTY YOURSELF INTO THE VENTURE AND RECEIVE HIS GRACE
If God has given you the permission to begin a venture and you have His authorisation, it’s time to give your all—100% plus 10% (Nehemiah 6:3). Don’t let distractions divert you. “He who began a good work…” (Philippians 1:6) is the one who will bring it to completion. Notice the scripture doesn’t say “you”—you are just a steward, and God is the builder. When God starts the work, His grace is released, and the work will be finished gloriously (Genesis 2:2). You must work tirelessly to see it fulfilled. As Paul writes, “God’s grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we feel weak, that’s when God’s strength is most evident.
In the name of Jesus, there shall be no unfinished business in our lives this year 2025. We shall all finish every project or venture we endeavour to do with grace, glory, and finesse. No mediocrity will be found anywhere near us.