"Words and acts testify plainly what is in the heart. If vanity and pride, love of self and love of dress, fill the heart, the conversation will be upon the fashions, the dress, and the appearance, but not on Christ or the kingdom of heaven. If envious feelings dwell in the heart, they will be manifested in words and acts. Those who measure themselves by others, do as others do, and make no higher attainments, excusing themselves because of the faults and wrongs of others, are feeding on husks and will remain spiritual dwarfs as long as they gratify Satan by thus indulging their own unconsecrated feelings. Some dwell upon what they shall eat and drink, and wherewithal they shall be clothed. These thoughts flow out from the abundance of the heart, as though temporal things were the grand aim in life, the highest attainment. These persons forget the words of Christ: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 1T 500.1"
"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Both passages connect the content of one's heart with their speech. EGW elaborates on how specific internal states (vanity, envy) manifest in conversation and actions. The Matthew verse provides the foundational principle that the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of Matthew 6:21 by showing how focusing on worldly things (fashions, dress) reveals where one's heart truly lies. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
This is very similar to the previous pair, but the Luke verse is a more direct parallel to the EGW passage. Both emphasize that what comes out of a person (words and actions) reflects what is in their heart.
"Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"
Both passages address the issue of focusing on earthly and temporal things rather than spiritual matters. Philippians 3:19 speaks of those whose 'God is their belly' and who 'mind earthly things,' while the EGW passage describes people preoccupied with dress, appearance, and temporal concerns. The parallel is strong.
"And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."
The EGW passage uses the imagery of 'feeding on husks' to describe those who are spiritually malnourished due to their focus on worldly things. This directly echoes the imagery of the prodigal son in Luke 15:16, who was reduced to eating husks. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"The youth have their hearts filled with the love of self. This is manifested in their desire to see their faces daguerreotyped by the artist; and they are not satisfied with being once represented, but sit again and again for their picture, each time hoping that the last will excel all their previous efforts and appear really more beautiful than the original. Their Lord's money is squandered in this way, and what is gained? Merely their poor shadow upon paper. The hours that should have been devoted to prayer are occupied upon their own poor selves; precious hours of probation are thus wasted. 1T 500.2"
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The EGW passage directly contrasts the youth's self-centered activities with the call to seek first the kingdom of God, echoing the principle of Matthew 6:33. The passage highlights how focusing on personal appearance and vanity detracts from spiritual pursuits and wastes precious time.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of Matthew 6:21 by showing how the youth's desire to have their pictures taken repeatedly reveals where their heart and treasure truly lie - in themselves and their appearance.
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Both passages discuss the importance of using time wisely and not wasting it on frivolous pursuits. EGW specifically mentions wasting time and money on vanity, while Ephesians 5:16 urges believers to redeem the time. The connection is thematic, focusing on the value of time.