Is Cost Benefit Analysis a Kingdom Value?

In doing some of the work that I do, there are times I wonder if it’s really worth it. Is it worth all the time, thought and effort I put into what I do? Take this blog as an example. I know I am in a “niche market” if you will. I know there aren’t a huge amount of people who are really interested in creative ministry, but sometimes these posts get as few as five hits and I start to wonder if it’s worth the effort. (I’m not complaining, and if you took the time to read this, thank you! I have a point here, so let’s keep going.) 

The temptation here is to do a cost benefit analysis. That’s where you look at your output versus income to decide whether or not a product is worth making or an effort is worth continuing. How many hits does a blog post need to make having written it worthwhile? How many paintings do you have to sell before you decide it’s worth it to make art. How many people have to read your book to make you see it as “successful?” Maybe we’re looking at the wrong metrics. 

I know someone will want to point me to the Scriptures and show me where Jesus instructs us to “count the cost” and while there is certainly some validity to that point, that verse is about deciding whether or not we should follow Jesus. Once we have decided to follow Jesus, I believe a different metric comes into play. That metric is trust and obey. I don’t write these posts just because I want to, although I do want to, but there is something more. I believe God has led and called me to minister to creatives and to help the church to embrace creativity. If that is the case, and I believe it is, then my “hit count” is to some degree irrelevant. Surely I could benefit by learning ways to get my message out to a wider audience, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is that I was faithful to do what God has called me to do. From there it’s all in God’s hands. Who knows? Maybe it will be one of you that reaches the masses, and my whole calling in doing this was to inspire you. 

I serve a small church. Could I preach to a mega church? I think so, but at the moment that is not where God has me. He has given me a small group of people for me to love and who have demonstrated over and over again that they love me. CBA tells me I should be looking for a mega church to pastor, because it takes roughly the same amount of effort to preach to my 60 as it would to preach to 60,000 at least from a preparation stand point. My heart tells me that I should bless this amazing group of believers, serve them well and help them to grow by serving and reaching our community. Faithfully serving and trusting God with the increase, is a kingdom value to which I am not sure a CBA can compare. Only God knows what He will do with what He has given me to do. The most important measure of success in God’s Kingdom is faithfulness, because it is He that does the real work. 

If this blesses you, spread it.