Time Management–Priorities

“One thing is needed…”

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)

*This post was inspired by Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage of scripture.^[1]

Many people often read this story and relate to one of the characters, either Martha or Mary. I relate to Martha. In fact, in the same situation, I can’t say that I would’ve reacted much differently than Martha did. If I was working hard and somebody else was just sitting around leaving me to do all the work by myself, I would’ve been irritated too! This is why it’s always been pretty convicting for me when I read this.

However, I think all too often most people read this story like I did and think it’s a lesson of how Martha was bad and Mary was good. Then about 5 years ago I got a different take on this story after reading Matthew Henry’s commentary. This isn’t a story of good versus bad. It’s a story of priorities.

Martha and Mary had very different personalities. Martha was probably a perfectionist (as many of us are), and Mary was probably a little more relaxed and laid back. Differences in personality are not wrong or bad. God does not want us to change our personalities—He just wants us to fix our priorities. Jesus wasn’t asking Martha to be more like Mary–He was just pointing out that Mary had correct priorities. Jesus also did not say that what Martha was doing wasn’t important—He just said “one thing” was necessary or needful (which was time with him or making him a priority). Like Martha, it’s so easy for us to get busy with the many things of life and miss out on the “one thing” that is the most important—time with the Lord. 

Admirable things about Martha

When I was reading through the commentary, I enjoyed that he included some of the positive aspects and admirable things about Martha. Like I mentioned previously, I think this story often causes us to look at Martha with a harsh eye. However, she had a lot of commendable qualities too. It’s good to keep these things in mind and not just mindlessly criticize her faults. We can learn from her good traits as well. Let’s take a look at the praiseworthy first.

• Martha didn’t mind the cost of entertaining Jesus and his disciples.

She was glad for the opportunity. It had to be pretty expensive to feed that many people, and she did so willingly.

• She didn’t care if it was dangerous to entertain him.

She must have been very brave, because Jesus wasn’t popular with the religious leaders during that time (many looking to arrest him and even kill him). Living so near to Jerusalem would have definitely put her at risk to associate herself with him, yet she did not reject him or turn him away.

• Martha obviously had respect for Jesus and wanted to make things nice for him and to honor him.

• She cared for her household matters and maintained a spirit of excellence.

Martha must have been a detail-oriented person as evidenced in her mannerisms and the phrase “much serving”.

• She had a willingness to serve–a servant’s heart and a gift of hospitality.

This is an enviable quality as Jesus himself came to serve (Mark 10:45) and we are called to do the same (1 Peter 4:9-10, Romans 12:13, Matthew 23:11).

• She took care of her family.

The story said it was Martha’s house, and we know from John 11:1 that her brother Lazarus and her sister Mary lived with her.

• She didn’t avoid confrontation and wasn’t passive-aggressive.

Martha wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. We didn’t see her just banging pots and pans around loudly in the kitchen to let everyone know that she wasn’t happy.

• Jesus must have thought very highly of her.

John 11:5 says that Jesus loved Martha and her family.

Unfavorable things about Martha

We can clearly see from our previous list that Martha had some wonderful character traits and qualities.

Now that we’ve looked at some of the admirable things about Martha, we can move on to look at a few of the unfavorable things about her. These can be a lesson for us on how we might better order our priorities.

• Martha was probably a perfectionist and maybe even a people-pleaser who cared too much of what others thought about her.

The phrase “much serving” is used in some versions (v. 40). Matthew Henry says “What need is there of much serving when much less will serve?” ^[2]–especially when more important things are at hand.

• The KJV says Martha was “cumbered” (other versions say anxious or distracted).

She was distracted with her business. God doesn’t want us to be anxious or cumbered with the tasks He has for us. He wants us to “care” about things but not “cumber” about them.

• She was busy—she busied herself with things that hindered her from spending time with the Lord.

We all must be cautious not to become so busy with our day-to-day tasks that we neglect our most important relationship(s).

• She was critical of her sister.

Martha complained to Jesus about Mary not assisting her. We might be able to infer from this that she may have already attempted (without success) to persuade Mary to help her, possibly even causing an argument between the two. She probably wouldn’t have even bothered Jesus with the matter otherwise. We are often in pursuit of “worldly” things or have such cares and concerns, which can in turn cause discord, conflict and strife with our families and friends.

• Her priorities were askew.

Although she probably wasn’t aware, she was not going to have much more physical, one-on-one time with Jesus like this. Time with the Lord should have been paramount. We need to make the most of the time and opportunities we have in this life, especially when it concerns our relationship with God and others. We are not guaranteed extended time (Proverbs 27:1, Psalm 90:12, Psalm 39:4) for our own life or that of others.

Another lesson to be learned

Unfortunately, in attempts to justify our cares and pursuits, we are sometimes more likely to blame and find fault in people who are not doing the same. We shouldn’t expect God to take our side in unjust or groundless arguments and quarrels. It’s not unusual for those who are strong in faith and/or pursuing spiritual matters (much like Mary) to encounter persecution, discouragement and deterrents from those around them (both from enemies AND friends or family).

Basically, what we can learn here is NOT to do this to others and not to be surprise when people do this to us.

Jesus’ interaction with Martha

There are a few things that stand out in Jesus’ interaction with Martha that I think are important to make note of and learn from.

• Jesus spoke to Martha sincerely and cared deeply for her well-being as evidenced by his saying her name twice…”Martha, Martha…” He was being emphatic.
• He corrected her because he loved her. The same as God does with us (or as any loving parent would do with their child).
• He would not justify her (which was what she wanted). God will not validate us if we are wrong.
• He corrected her for 2 things: Her worry (anxiety, distraction) and her excessiveness (many things). We already know the Lord doesn’t want us to worry or be anxious (Philippians 4:6). We also need to learn to minimize at times. For example, maybe Martha could have prepared only one dish to serve instead of many. Matthew Henry says, “The many things she was troubled about were needless, while the one thing she neglected was needful.” ^[3]
• He didn’t blame her for not doing what Mary did. He just said that he wasn’t going to make Mary do something different.
• Jesus took Mary’s side, and he’ll take ours too if we prioritize Him! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

Mary’s priorities

Mary chose the “good part” (some versions say “portion”) which would not be taken away from her. Her priorities included time with Jesus. Mary was swift to hear what Jesus had to say, so much so that she placed herself right at his feet so as not to miss a word giving him her undivided attention.

She “partook” of Christ. We are also partakers of Christ (Hebrews 3:14)—and that cannot be taken away. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). We too, like Mary, need to include God in our priorities. We need to make time to sit at his feet and to spend time with him. Matthew Henry says, “We must either sit at Christ’s feet or be made his footstool; but, if we sit with him at his feet now, we shall sit with him on his throne shortly.” ^[4]

“Serious godliness is a needful thing, it is the one thing needful; for nothing without this will do us any real good in this world, and nothing but this will go with us into another world.” –Matthew Henry^[5]

Take Some Practical Steps to Order Your Priorities, to Choose the Good Part, and to Choose the One Thing That is Needed:

• First, one thing is needed, the “good part”…that is time with the Lord.

Take time daily to spend with God. Do you have a regular quiet time? Do you take time out to listen to God? Do you make a habit to read your bible regularly? (click the links for posts that will help you with each of those things)

• Secondly, prioritizing is easier if you’re seeking to please God instead of people.

Seek God first. Aim to please Him first. Then, your priorities will fall into line.

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

• Worry and anxiety can alter your priorities.

Remember, God wants us to “care” about things but not “cumber” about them.

• Next, forgo busyness, and learn to minimize.

Are you neglecting your most important, most needful relationships (with God and with others) because you are too busy? Are you busy with “much serving” when “much less would serve”? What things do you need to cut out of your schedule that are hindering your relationships?

• Finally, ask yourself if you are making time for the most important things first.

Are you making the most of your opportunities? What things can you do now that would be the most impactful? Are you remembering that your time here on earth is limited (as well as the time of those with whom you will interact)? What would you do and/or put first if you knew you (or those with whom you interact) only had a very short time to live?

How can YOU choose the “good part”? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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1. Henry, Matthew. “Luke 10 Commentary – Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete).” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/10.html. ↑
2. Henry, Matthew. “Luke 10 Commentary – Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete).” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/10.html. ↑
3. Henry, Matthew. “Luke 10 Commentary – Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete).” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/10.html. ↑
4. Henry, Matthew. “Luke 10 Commentary – Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete).” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/10.html. ↑
5. Henry, Matthew. “Luke 10 Commentary – Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete).” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/10.html. ↑