Luke 10:42
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
The story of Mary and Martha is an intriguing story because we have two sisters whose personalities were certainly different. They were both good ladies, and both of their actions are needed in our churches. Mary chose to worship at the feet of Jesus, and this is very needed. On the other hand, Martha chose to work in the kitchen preparing a meal for the Master. There is nothing wrong with Martha’s choice to stay busy in the kitchen; somebody has to do the behind the scenes work in the church or else nothing will ever get done.
However, the one area where Martha was wrong was in her attitude. You can do everything right, but if your attitude is wrong while you are doing right, your focus will easily be shrouded with selfishness. Martha exhibited four attitudes that every Christian must avoid because they will cause you to miss the very presence of the Saviour and what He wants to do through your life.
The first attitude of Martha was a demanding attitude. Martha actually demanded Jesus to “bid her” to help in the kitchen. You must be careful that you don’t become demanding of the Saviour. No Christian has a right to demand anything from God. Martha was so wrapped up in what she was doing that she allowed her attitude to get out of control to where she became demanding. Don’t acquire the demanding attitude where you demand of the Saviour to answer your prayers or to do something you feel needs to be done. Keep a submissive attitude instead of a demanding attitude, and you will find that the LORD will be more inclined to give you your desires.
Second, Martha had a questioning attitude. Martha was questioning Mary’s motives. Don’t ever fall into the trap of questioning why someone is doing something. I’ve often had people ask me why I think someone is doing something, and my answer is always that I don’t know. Life is too short to question the motives of another’s actions. Why can’t you take their actions or words for what they are? Don’t allow your attitude to become judgmental.
Third, Martha had a temporal attitude. Even though Martha’s actions were not wrong, her attitude towards eternal actions was wrong. The concern for perception always results in the wrong purpose. Let me encourage you not to get so wrapped up in perception that you forget that your whole purpose of serving the LORD is to please Him. Don’t let other’s opinions of you become your goal, but live your life to please the LORD. If you live for the eternal, you won’t ever fall into the trap to live for the perception of the present.
Fourth, Martha had a needless attitude. Jesus said, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part…” Martha was so concerned about working that she forgot to spend time worshipping. Christian, don’t get so busy working that you never spend time with the Saviour. You need that time every day sitting at the feet of Jesus through the Scriptures and prayer so that you can do His work properly.
Do you find yourself with a Martha attitude? The answer to avoiding this attitude is to spend time at Jesus’ feet. Spending time with Jesus always gives you the right attitude so you can keep the right focus for your day.