text: I already commented a minute ago about the interpretation of those "gold-standard" verses.
  I had to laugh at the comment about faith costing. What hardships does a man like Jerry Prevo endure? He is one of the richest people in Anchorage. He lives behind a gate, drives fancy cars, flies in his own plane etc. 
  Anchorage Christians assembly every Sunday in air-conditioned churches. They won't work on the Sabbath but ironically frequent restaurants where harried servers deal with their demands for usually a crappy tip and a religious tract. (Been there, done that.)
  Faith costs? Not really.
  Meanwhile I have a dear friend and her husband in a backwater, village in Africa. They built an orphanage with their own hands and have 147 children they care for. Every day is a struggle. Insects have damaged the corn and beans they planted and will salvage what they can and then start again. They suffer when they are sick. And yet they are the most joyful people I know. They know about real cost.