The Cost Of True Discipleship

And

Parable Of Goldmine

By

The Twelve Apostles

The Cost Of True Discipleship

Now, Jesus and the twelve went to another town, and as they entered it they said, “Peace be to all. Good will to all.”
A multitude of people followed and the Master said to them, “Behold, for you are followers for selfish gain. If you would follow me in love, and become disciples of the Holy Spirit, and at last gain the crown of life, you must leave behind all carnal life.
“Be not deceived. Stay, men, and count the cost. If a man would build a tower or a home, he first sits down and counts the cost to be assured that he has gold enough to finish it. For he knows very well that if he makes a failure of his enterprise, he may lose all his wealth, and be the object of ridicule. And if he 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.'

“And if a king desires to take the kingdom of another king, he calls his trusted men and they consider well their own strength. He will not measure arms with one of matchless power.

“Count well the cost before you start to follow me. It means the giving up of your life and all that you have, in willing service. If you love your father, mother, wife or child, more than you love the Christ, you cannot follow me. If you love wealth or honour more than you love the Christ, you cannot follow me. The paths of carnal life do not run up the mountain side towards the top. They run around the mountain of life, and if you go straight to the upper gate of consciousness, you cross the paths of carnal life. Do not follow the paths of carnal life.

“And this is how men bear the cross. No man can bear another's cross. Take up your cross and follow me, in the path of true discipleship. This is the path that leads to life. This way of life is called the pearl of greatest price, and he who finds it must put all he has beneath his feet.”

Parable Of Goldmine

Continuing, Jesus said, “Behold, a man found in a certain field a rich and wondrous mine of gold, and he went forth, sold his home and all he had, and bought the field. Then he rejoices in wealth.”

Now, there were present, Scribes and Pharisees of wealth who loved their money, and their bonds and lands, and they laughed loud to scorn what Jesus said.
Then Jesus spoke to them and said, “You are the men who justify yourselves in sight of men. God knows your wickedness of heart. And you must know, O men, that whatsoever is honoured and is exalted by the carnal mind, is an abomination in the sight of God.”