To Work or Not to Work?

Luke 10:41-42 - But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Most of us can identify with one of Lazarus’ two sisters. The people-focused types love Jesus’ vindication of Mary who left her sister to do all the work while she engaged in conversation with Jesus. We task-driven people know Martha’s indignation quite well. It isn't fair that we do all the work while the Marys of the world chat away. It is mind-boggling that Jesus honors the “lazy” Mary while rebuking industrious Martha. Is he really saying we should never engage in work and tasks of serving?

A thorough read of the New Testament shows that is definitely not the case. In the most subservient of tasks, Jesus himself washed the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper and told his disciples to do as he did (John 13:15). The Apostle Paul gave the command, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (II Thessalonians 3:10) Of course, it should be obvious that if no one worked, we would all get incredibly hungry and our whole society would come to a screeching halt. So, if Jesus is not saying, “Do not work,” to Martha, what is he saying?

As we see in the verses above, Jesus says that Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his teaching is 1) necessary and 2) will not be taken away from her. A year later, the disciples probably did not remember what food Martha served that day, but time with Jesus learning and then living out his words formed and shaped Mary in ways that will last for eternity. Paul uses a metaphor of a fire that tests all we do in I Corinthians 3:12-15. Most of our efforts will get burned up, but some will last forever. Yes, we all have a lot of tasks we need to do, and we should not neglect them, but time spent with Jesus is necessary and its impact on us lasts forever.