Jesus was quite explicit about the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires a totally committed life. Our focus at work is to focus on discipleship. At work, discipleship will cost us everything, not just a little.

Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

(Luke 14:33)

Sacrifice is expected: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’”(Matthew 16:24). Jesus is my Master. I am His slave. That is the demand of discipleship.

Not all of Jesus’ followers were able to make such a commitment. There were many who left Jesus after a while. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66).

The cost of discipleship involves a denial of all my self-interests and desires at work: Jesus’ followers were called “disciples” long before they were ever called “the Christians.” Their discipleship began with Jesus’ call and required them to exercise their will to follow Him (Matthew 9:9).

Jesus demanded disciples become slaves of the Master (aka Owner). This is not optional even though it sounds repugnant. I am a slave of Jesus. I am totally devoted to Him.

• Matthew 16:24 — Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
• Matthew 10:38 — “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”
• Luke 14:27 — “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

As a disciple, am I learning from Jesus? The Greek term for “disciple” in the New Testament is mathetes, which means more than just “student” or “learner.” A disciple is a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct. The Pharisees prided themselves in being disciples of Moses (John 9:28). Are we proud of being a disciple of Jesus at work? Is that clear to others?

Self-denial means leaders live for others at work

• Romans 14:7 — 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
• 2 Corinthians 5:15 — 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
• Galatians 2:20 — 20 “I have been crucified with the Messiah; and it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
• 1 Peter 4:2 — 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.