Everything we do has a cost. Some of the costs may be paid immediately with cash, time, or hard work. Other times, it comes in the distant future.

This is seen the most in spiritual endeavors. Things like skipping Church, missing a quiet time with the Lord, and not connecting to other believers will not have immediate consequences. You usually do not feel the impact it makes on your relationships and personal connections until you are decades down the road.  

You will rarely see that you sacrificed your relationship with your wife, children, or parents to achieve your goals for at least twenty years. You will not see how your example influenced others for twenty to thirty years. You may not know the effects of your life until you are lying on your deathbed.

One significant question to ask before any major decisions is, “What will this cost me in the long run?”

At the moment, there may be little price to pay, but know there is a cost.