ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

By Evangeline Unity Esaaba folson

Luke 10:38-42

10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha receiveth Him

10:39 And she has a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus; feet, and head His word.

10:40 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. 

10:41 and Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

As we journey through life we are distracted and concerned about many things that are of no eternal value. We spend all our time chasing money to acquire things that will give us comfort, land, houses, cars, clothes, food etc. which have no eternal value. No one is buried with his possessions. We will leave them all here.

    It is good to acquire things that will give us comfort in life, but the time and energy we use to acquire them should not exceed the time and energy we use to win souls and serve in the house of God, studying the word for guidance and praying to overcome our challenges, trails and temptations.

Like Jesus told Martha in the passage quoted above only “one things is needful “meaning there is only one thing that is ultimately important, doing what pleases god and has eternal value.

Mathew 6:31-33 says

Therefore, take no though, saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or wherefore withal shall we be clothed? 

(for after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly father knowrth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

If you “seek first the kingdom of god” as the passage above says, then all the things you need to be comfortable in life, will be added as a bonus.

How can you seek, the kingdom of God by:

• By loving the things of God 

Psalm 27:4

Romans 12:1-2

• By seeking to please God always

Job 1:8

Hebrews 11:6

• By obeying the “great commission”

Matthew 28: 19-20

Jeremiah 7:23

Jeremiah 1:7

By loving the things of God

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.

In the verse above, the psalmist says it’s his utmost desire to dwell in the house of the Lord dwelling in the house of the Lord involves:

• Being present in church whenever there is a meeting, mid-week service, prayer meeting, church service or an event e.g musicals concert.
• Engaging in other Christian activities outside the church like soul winning, crusade, medicals mission etc.
• Engaging in the things of God at home, work, and everywhere, like maintain the presence of God in your life through praise and worship and prayers. You do not have to disturb those around you, sing and pray in your head.

Romans 12:11-12

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

passage above is reminding us that, a s Christians or children of God, we have so many people (crowd of witness) looking up to us for direction and others looking to criticize and disregard God. We have to change our mindset to fit the principle projected in the word of God doing this will clearly show our love and devotion to God.

By seeking to please god always

Job1:8

Then the Lord said to satan, have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shun evil.

Can God boast about you like He did with Job? Our utmost desire should be to please God in all we do. Our lifestyle, conduct, morals and principles should all fall in line with principles in the Bible.

Hebrews 11: 6

But without: faith it is impossible to please him:” for that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. In order to please God, we must exercise our faith we cannot see God or hear Him speak to us directly everyday but we must believe that god lives or exists and relate to Him as such.

By obeying the great commission

Jeremiah 7:23

But I gave them this command: obey me and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

According to the verse above we must obey God completely at all times and it will be well with us, meaning, everything will work for our good. 

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.

    All Christians are to go out and win souls for the kingdom of God at all times. This is the “Great commission” defined in detail in the passage above. 

    Soul winning is not a job reserved for ministers and pastors. We are all supposed to get involved. This assignment is very important and we should do it faithfully, sincerely and as best as we can.

    This is the “one thing that is needful”

References

1. King James Bible
2. Longman English Dictionary
3. www.google.com