A Number and a Date

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

Jesus assumed His followers would build things — and that they would sit down and do the arithmetic first.

Notice His reason for counting the cost: whether he have sufficient to finish. The danger is not starting. The danger is abandoning something halfway, in front of everyone.

A goal without a number and a date is not a goal. It is a wish. "Grow the ministry." "Save more." "Be more disciplined." None of those can be planned, because none of them can be measured or missed.

"Twelve trained small-group leaders by 31 December" — now you have something. It can be broken down, resourced and checked. It can also fail honestly, which is where learning begins.