Why did Jesus advise people to count the cost of following Him?

So that you would be able to stay with him no matter what

Two things come to mind. For one, following Jesus doesn't always mean "your best life now." In fact, the Bible says the opposite.. .that all those who live Godly will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), and in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33).... but if you look beyond the temporal and count the cost overall ... only those who stick with Jesus have a good future promised for them, an eternally good life purposed for them, and get to meet their Creator on good terms. Paul explained that he didn't believe that all the things he was personally suffering was worthy to compare to all the good things that awaited him. It's unwise to trade the eternal for that which is temporal. And if people think that what is on the earth is anyway better than being in the presence of God, and everything else He has in store of those who love Him they make an extremely sorrowful and regretful mistake.

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” - 1 John 2:17, KJV

“For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” - Proverbs 24:20, KJV

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? - Mark 8:36, KJV

If man cared more about his life on earth, than his eternal life, he was not going to be happy as a follower of the true faith.

Jesus said His burden is easy and His yoke is light.Yet you may lose many around you even in your own family.Even best friends may leave you as they liked the old you.Plus evil spirits will now be looking in as satan did with Job. Yet fret and worry now Jesus is fully in charge.This life is so short. Think of life with Jesus in His kingdom a Kingdom without end.JESUS BLESS YOU

Because the scriptures show he demands that people hate his family to be a true follower.

LUKE 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children,and brethren,

and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

(Of course, christers learn how to LIE about this passage, too... ya gotta love it!!)

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This is a great example of typical christian BS.

With THIS scripture, they'll say:

"OH! HATE means HATE everywhere else in the BuyBull...

...but in this ONE circumstance, HATE means a lesser form of love."

And then, they look at you with their sick little smirks, and think

you just bought a bridge from them. It's quite uncanny, really....

Jim Jones knew, like ANY cult leader knows -- the minute you get people

to put the Cult and Cult Icon BEFORE and ABOVE Family, you've got them hooked.

christianity, with its filthy cult BuyBull, have done a great job of that!

It's because these people were going to give up their material life for a spiritual one. The spiritual one is definitely more valuable but those people couldn't see it. For instance, one's material life could weigh much more to them than their spiritual life. For others, it can be the opposite. This is what counting the cost means. And there is another catch. The more these materials have value to the eyes of those who are abandoning it all, the greater it is taken into consideration. Imagine how strong a faith you are to have to just give up all your wealth and belongings and follow Jesus for the sake of salvation. I have faith, but I admit that I'm nowhere near that strong.

Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Being a Disciple

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Well get out your calculator

The context tells that it is a practical matter.

Chapter and verse would be helpful.