“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?” — Luke 14:28
In this verse from Luke, Jesus uses the metaphor of a builder to help drive home the larger message of discipleship; of what is needed and what must be sacrificed to follow Him. He paints a simple picture we can all understand; before laying a single stone, a builder pauses to consider what he’s building and whether his resources can support the work ahead.
At first glance, this verse seems practical, even obvious. Of course we plan before building. Of course we count the cost. Jesus uses this image to teach something deeper: wisdom begins with pausing before action. Taking time to consider direction is part of discipleship, whether we’re building a tower or making financial decisions.
Yet, when it comes to money, many of us drift more than decide. That drift shows up when we think about the future, especially retirement.
Don’t Dream To, Plan To
Many people begin saving for retirement intuitively: You get a job and open a 401(k). That’s a great start.
Many of us stop there, without creating a more intentional plan. What kind of future are we hoping for, and what might it require?
Like the builder, there may be wisdom in pausing long enough to consider whether our resources support the future we envision. A financial plan is a way of connecting today’s decisions with tomorrow’s hopes. Clarity often begins when we attach specific dates and figures to our goals.
Consider your short-term goals, maybe paying off university debt or saving up for a house. How do those affect your long-term retirement savings goals?
Notice where your money naturally flows each month—does it reflect your highest priorities? Small purchases become routines and money can begin moving in directions we never consciously intended.
What Matters Most?
In this verse, Jesus calls us to greater intentionality and invites us to consider whether our spending reflects the values guiding our lives.
Faithful financial stewardship begins with pausing long enough to ask an important question: What am I building with the resources God has entrusted to me?And does the way I’m spending support the things I care about most?
This can be a meaningful starting place for reflection:
- If family matters, do my financial choices support stability, presence, and long-term care?
- If faith or charity matter, does my spending create room for generosity and trust?
- If peace matters, are my decisions reducing anxiety, or quietly feeding it?
Like a builder reviewing plans before construction begins, this week offers an opportunity to pause and take an honest look at where your money is going and whether it reflects what matters most to you.
Because good stewardship is about building wisely.
Consult an Architect
While Jesus’s builder had to consider whether he had the resources to build the tower, he likely consulted an architect, someone who could help shape the vision and understand what the work would require.
Similarly, financial planning doesn’t have to happen alone. Wisdom grows through conversations with financial professionals who can help bring greater clarity to the future we hope to build.
Reflection Question
What story is your spending telling—and does it align with the life and values you most want to build?
This Week’s Small Step
Spend 15 minutes asking a builder’s question: What am I trying to build? Write down a few things that matter most to you and the kind of life you hope to build over the next five, ten, or twenty years. Then take an honest look at whether your current spending and saving habits support that direction.
Reflect – Conviction – Practice – Habit