Many christians nowadays prefer frivolities to what is spiritually valuable. The unfortunate part of this is that they don't often know that they are wasting their time on things that holds no eternal value, they see what they do as something good and desirable but it isn't in the spiritual realm. Such could be seen in the story of Martha and her sister Mary when Jesus went to visit them in their home.
Assuming we have a great man of God announcing his visit to our house, what will be our first reaction about it, what will be our preparation towards his coming? Of course we will cook the best meal and prepare for the man of God the best wine and water. We will make sure he is comfortable and well taken care of during his stay. This is the matter with Martha too, she realized who Jesus was and therefore she knows she has to make sure she cook a very good meal and make sure Jesus is comfortable. This sounds good right? To be hospitable and very accommodating towards our guests, after all the bible let us understand that it is important to treat our guests right as some unknowingly has entertained angels or spiritual helpers into their home. Nevertheless as hospitality is good and pleasing to the eye, we shouldn't lose the focus or the reason for the visit to frivolities. We should try to understand and gain from the encounter. Martha lacked this insight but Mary didn't.
Mary wanted to hear the word of God while Martha was cumbered about serving. This makes for the understanding that spiritual food and growth is much more better and hold value than physical food, of course it is the spiritual that govern the physical. Physical food is corruptible, it is prone to destruction, you have to keep eating and eating till you die. Physical food is perishable while spiritual food of God is eternal and incorruptible. The word of God goes on forever and ever. Remember when Jesus told the woman by the well about the water that won't make her thirsty again, that's spiritual food. The woman didn't understand at first what Jesus meant by an "everlasting water". The word of God is spiritual food which we all need as christians to grow spiritually, you can't grow without the word of God as you can't grow physically without eating.
In her bid to entertain the guests, Martha was cumbered about much serving, and that was the reason she was not where Mary was, sitting at Christ's feet to hear his word. Martha was "anxious and troubled" as she tried to serve the Lord, and yet she was missing the greatest and the most everlasting blessing. Whatever cares the providence of God casts upon us, we must not be cumbered with them, nor be disquieted and perplexed by them. Care is good and duty; but cumber is sin and folly. Nothing in life should hinder you from having time for the Master. When Martha complained to Jesus, he reproved her, though he was her guest. As many as Christ loves, he rebukes and chastens. Mary said nothing in her own defence; but Christ justified Mary against her sister's clamour. He said, Mary chose a good part; a part with Christ is a part for the soul and eternity. It is a part that shall never be taken away from those who have it. It is the wisdom and duty of every one of us to choose this good part, to choose the service of God for our business, and the favour of God for our happiness.
Despite the cultural importance of hospitality of the matron of the house, Mary offered the best devotion she knows instead of the work of the hostess. Mary enjoys staying at the feet of Jesus, dining with the Master. Mary's food was the word. With humility, she sat at Jesus's feet and she heard Jesus word. Make sure to sit at his feet now and hear his word so that you can sit later with him on the throne after this earth has been passed away. Nothing is more important, more valued than the word of God. The word is God and God is the word. Hold steadfast to the word.
As Christians we must always learn to prioritize the word of God over things of the world