Begin With the End in Mind

Jesus once asked a simple, almost practical question: “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” (Luke 14:28). Before you build anything that matters, you stop and think about where it’s headed.

That reminds me of when my kids were young and loved puzzles. Early on, they were easy—big pieces, obvious fits. No picture needed. But as the puzzles got more complicated, the picture on the box became essential. Without it, they’d waste time forcing pieces that didn’t belong.

Money works much the same way.

Early in life, finances feel manageable. Then life fills up—family, ministry, homes, responsibilities, retirement. The puzzle gets more complex, and without a clear picture, people start making isolated decisions that don’t really connect.

As Brian Skrobonja often points out, the picture on the box isn’t your net worth or your investment balances. It’s your cash flow—where money comes from and what it can become.

Budgets tend to look backward. Cash flow makes you look ahead.

And that brings us back to Jesus. His point wasn’t just about towers. It was about wisdom. You don’t build first and hope it works out. You count the cost, understand the goal, and then you build with intention.

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Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director