Mary and Martha

During my study time this morning I was in Luke Chapter 10.  There are 3 specific lessons taught in this Chapter.  The first is when Jesus sent his disciples out into the field because it is ripe for harvest; the second is the story of the Good Samaritan where He taught what it means to truly love your neighbor and the third is where Mary and Martha, (Lazarus’s sisters) were reacting to Jesus’s visit in two different ways.

I was primarily struck by the story of Mary and Martha. The standard focus is on how Martha was being practical and Mary unpractical.  Yet Jesus commended Mary for choosing the better thing.  I am a Martha in many ways.  I value my job search time greater than my God search time.  Why do I do that?  Because inside I still buy the lie that the things of this world are where I am going to find satisfaction and peace.  

I just read the line of valuing God search time to my wife.  She said she does not necessarily believe that and feels that we are similar to those who do not work but expect God to drop everything in our laps.  The balance between being responsible and God’s will can be murky.  Setting aside Jesus’s comment about Mary choosing the better thing, we would commend Martha for sharing her gift of helps and would laud her for working her ministry behind the scene, a real servant.  Yet Christ looked deeper and loving Martha, wanted her to realize that first you are called and then you serve.  Any time we serve before we are called we are self-serving.   

How would anyone become a missionary, why would anyone give their time and treasures to the kingdom if they had to rely on themselves and their talents to provide for their daily needs?  Why are we told to, “Seek first the kingdom of God”?  There is only one place where we are told to test God and that is in the area of our finances.  God knows exactly where we are weakest, what the last thing is that we will bring under submission to Him.  That’s why He has emphasized it so heavily and so often.  That is why the rich young ruler left Christ dejected.  (Mark 10: 17-25)

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a person who totally relies on money and the things of this world for their security.   We as Christians are not immune to this deception.  I am not immune to this deception, often I am consumed by it much to the detriment of what God would have me do.

What is the balance? Is there a balance?  I think we would like there to be but Jesus said that once you put your hand to the plow, you should never look back.  He wants all of us. He will use all of us and will provide what we need. Do I really believe this, not always and if I don’t believe it always, do I believe it at all?