The First Thing To Go? Choosing That Good Part

Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ―Luke 10:42

Everyone has limitations. A person’s schedule can only get so full. A person can only have a small number of intimate friends. A person can only digest so much information. One person can only assume so much responsibility.

So when a person’s capacity to take anything new has reached its limit, what is the first thing to go? What does a person drop when he finds his hands are full? Most likely, the thing that is most expandable. Or, the thing that means the least to him. Or, the thing that brings him the least satisfaction. Unfortunately, it is usually something spiritual. Man generally neglects the spiritual and clings to the material. It usually goes something like this…

-"I’ve had a hard week. I need a break. I’ll skip church today.” (The first thing to go is church attendance so I can rest.)

-“It’s late and I’m so busy. I’ll study my Bible tomorrow.” (The first thing to go is Bible study so I can be busy doing “more important things.”)

-“This is a great television program (or sporting event). I’ll watch it and pray later.” (The first thing to go is personal devotions so I can be carnal.)

-“Friends (or relatives) are coming over. I need to stay home from church and entertain them.” (The first thing to go is spiritual fellowship with the saints so I can enjoy fleshly amusements with others.)

-“I just cannot handle all these responsibilities. I’ll quit working in the nursery (or the choir, or Sunday School, etc.).”

I like the words of Job, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth MORE than my NECESSARY FOOD” (Job 23:12). Job put the spiritual before the material. Job prioritized his spiritual diet over his physical needs. When a person excuses himself from the preaching of God’s Word at church, is he esteeming God’s Word more that his physical needs? I think not.

Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which ENDURETH unto everlasting life” (John 6:27). Next time your hands are full and something needs to go, don’t drop the thing that is most needful. Remember the lesson of Mary and Martha. Martha was cumbered about with material things. Mary sat and listened to the words of Jesus. She chose “that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42).

What is the first to go in your life when you cannot take on another thing? Is it the spiritual or material? Are you choosing the GOOD PART?

"What I Do"

I do not do what I do
In the hope of receiving blessing

I do not do what I do
In hope that I can change the world

I do not do what I do
In the hope of gaining victory over enemies

I do not do what I do
In hope of praise;



I do what I do
Because of what He has first done for me.