"Then that which I had seen was explained to me as follows: The multitude who were so eagerly striving for the earthly crown, were those who love this world's treasure, and are deceived and flattered with its short-lived attractions. Some, I saw, who profess to be the followers of Jesus, are so ambitious to obtain earthly treasures that they lose their love for heaven, act like the world, and are accounted of God as of the world. They profess to be seeking an immortal crown, a treasure in the heavens; but their interest and principal study is to acquire earthly treasures. Those who have their treasures in this world, and love their riches, cannot love Jesus. They may think that they are right, and, although they cling to their possessions with a miser's grasp, they cannot be made to see it, or to feel that they love money more than the cause of truth or the heavenly treasure. 1T 350.1"
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
The EGW passage directly echoes and expands upon the principle stated in Matthew 6:21. The idea of where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, is central to the EGW quote.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:"
Both passages address the danger of accumulating earthly treasures and the importance of focusing on heavenly rewards. The EGW passage amplifies the warning in Matthew 6:19.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Both passages discuss the conflict between loving the world and loving God. The EGW passage illustrates how the pursuit of earthly treasures demonstrates a love for the world that is incompatible with the love of the Father.
"“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” There was a point of time in the experience of such, when the light given them was not cherished, and it became darkness. Said the angel: “Ye cannot love and worship the treasures of earth, and have the true riches.” When the young man came to Jesus and said to Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus gave him his choice, to part with his possessions and have eternal life, or retain them and lose it. His riches were of greater value to him than the heavenly treasure. The condition that he must part with his treasures and give to the poor in order to become a follower of Christ and have eternal life, chilled his desire; and he went away sorrowful. 1T 350.2"
"But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
EGW directly quotes Matthew 6:23.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
EGW directly references the story of the rich young ruler and his interaction with Jesus, as described in Matthew 19:21.