Here is the reward for those who sacrifice for God. They receive a hundredfold in this life, and shall inherit everlasting life. “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” I was shown those who receive the truth, but do not live it. They cling to their possessions, and are not willing to distribute of their substance to advance the cause of God. They have not faith to venture and trust God. Their love of this world swallows up their faith. God calls for a portion of their substance, but they heed it not. They reason that they have labored hard to obtain what they have, and they cannot lend it to the Lord, for they may come to want. “O ye of little faith.” That God who cared for Elijah in the time of famine, will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who has numbered the hairs of their head, will care for them, and in days of famine they will be satisfied. While the wicked are perishing all around them for want of bread, their bread and water wi…
"But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 19:30.
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 19:29.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Both passages contrast earthly and heavenly treasures, emphasizing the importance of investing in the latter.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Both passages address the conflict between serving God and being attached to worldly possessions.
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth."
Both passages encourage giving alms and storing up treasure in heaven.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
The EGW passage discusses reward for sacrifice and faith, echoing the principle in Hebrews 11:6 that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. The 'hundredfold' reward also alludes to Jesus' teachings.
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Both passages discuss the dangers of the love of money and its impact on faith.