Luke 10:38

Luke 10:38 says, 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.  As Jesus was traveling, a woman named Martha invited Him into her house.  Jesus always had to rely on the kindness of others for His daily needs.  Martha was likely a widow, and the cost of providing for Jesus and His disciples was not cheap, but she was willing to make the sacrifice.  They did not demand the best of food nor even the best house to eat it in.  Today, too often those who profess to follow Christ want assurance that they will have everything they want before they go, and they want the best food and lodging when they get there.  Verse thirty-nine adds, And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  Martha's sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as He taught.  She was not helping Martha with the preparations.  Sometimes, when we are working to spread the gospel, others are going to be learning more from Jesus about being a Christian.  Verse forty states, 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.  Martha, who had invited Jesus, became upset because Mary wasn't helping her prepare for His visit.  She asked Jesus to bid Mary to help her.  If we are busy doing what we believe God wants us to do as followers of Christ, we should not get upset if it appears that some other Christian is doing less, and we certainly shouldn't tell God to have them join us in what we are doing.  Verse forty-one adds, And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  Jesus told Martha that she was busy being troubled by many things.  Sometimes, we may feel troubled by all that we feel we need to do for Jesus, but just being busy is not enough.  Verse forty-two continues, But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  Jesus told Martha that she had missed one needful thing, and that was that she had allowed the preparation of the meal to become more important than spending time with Jesus.  We need to be careful that we don't get so caught up in church work  that we neglect time alone with God.  Jesus said Mary had chosen to do that good part, and it wouldn't be taken away from her.  When we are doing what we believe God wants us to do, we don't need to be worried about what other Christians are doing, and we certainly should never judge them.