Are you a martha or a mary?

Luke 10:38-42KJV


38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.


39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.


40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.


41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:


42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.





Perhaps you notice here the directness of Christ's words. Mary is doing that which is needful. Perhaps you noticed Martha was busy and overworked? Perhaps you noticed Mary? Martha was not happy with Mary's lack of help. Martha was perturbed Mary had left her alone to serve and host.

Mary was at the feet of Christ learning, Listening and worshipping.




We see here 2 distinct personalities. Both have their pros and cons. However, the one lesson we need to take away from this is there is a time and place for everything.




Martha - Serving, cooking, hosting... Busy. Yet she was so busy she forgot why she was there. She forgot her guest. She forgot the true purpose of the visit. Martha was so preoccupied with making sure everything went off with out a hitch that she forgot and she wasted the visit. The purpose of the visit was fellowship with The Lord Jesus Christ. She was so worried about her reputation and her standing and her shame if things didn't go just right, she forgot the nurturing side of being with Jesus.




How many in Ministry today forget that the food, the seating, the flow of events, the number of attendees are secondary? How many get so busy in the "work" of the ministry that they forget to feed their own Spirit? How many are so busy serving and feeding the masses that they forget to refresh themselves in the Word?

When serving others it is vital that we first refresh ourselves in the Word. The Word of God is the reason for our ministries. How can we serve it if we fail to keep it in the forefront of our own lives?

We should always keep this thought in the forefront: The work is important but the Word is the reason for what we do. God's Word shall not return void. God's Word is all we need to focus on.




All the other things we plan and do for the spreading of God's Word are good, but we must keep our eyes on the Word. If any Event we host or preach or plan brings one person to the Lord then it is a success. Not how well planned, not production values, not the flow, or the numbers but the Souls saved and lives changed.




Mary - She was at the feet of Jesus. She was hanging on His every Word. Basking in His presence. She was there to be with Him. To hear what HE has to say.




Martha was necessary, she was the one who did what needed to be done, but she failed to take time to sit at the feet of Jesus. When in the middle of events and ministry we must know when it is time to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus. When all the preparations are done bask in the glow of the Word. When the Service starts, other service must end.

Don't get so busy in providing that you forget to provide for your Spirit.

You must be healthy to attend to the sick.

You must be in the Light to look for the lost.

You must have the strength from the Word to knock on the doors of the world.