June 5, 1863, I was shown that my husband should preserve his strength and health, for God had yet a great work for us to do. In His providence we had obtained an experience in this work from its very commencement, and thus our labors would be of greater account to His cause. I saw that my husband's constant and excessive labor was exhausting his fund of strength, which God would have him preserve; that if he continued to overtask his physical and mental energies as he had been doing, he would be using up his future resources of strength and exhausting the capital, and would break down prematurely, and the cause of God would be deprived of his labor. Much of the time he was performing labor connected with the office which others might do, or was engaged in business transactions which he should avoid. God would have us both reserve our strength to be used when specially required to do that work which others could not do, and for which He has raised us up, preserved our lives, and given …
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of using one's strength wisely for God's work, aligning with the Ecclesiastes verse about doing what one finds to do with all one's might. The idea of not exhausting oneself prematurely is a clear application of the principle.
"When God speaks, He means what He says. When He cautions, it becomes those noticed to take heed. The reason why I now speak publicly is that the same caution which was given to my husband has been given to others connected with the office. I saw that unless they change their course of action, they are just as liable to be stricken down as was my husband. I am not willing that others should suffer as he has done. But that which is most to be dreaded is, they would be lost for a time to the cause and work of God, when the help and influence of all are so much needed. 1T 518.2"
"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:"
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings, which directly echoes the warning in Hebrews 12:25 about not refusing Him who speaks. The consequence of disobedience is also a shared theme.
"But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand."
The EGW passage describes her role in warning others, similar to the watchman in Ezekiel 33:6 who must warn the people of impending danger. Both passages highlight the responsibility to deliver warnings and the consequences of failing to do so.
"Those connected with the office cannot endure the amount of care and labor that my husband has borne for years. They have not the constitution, the capital to draw upon, which my husband had. They can never endure the perplexities and the constant, wearing labor which have come upon him and which he has borne for twenty years. I cannot endure the thought that any in the office should sacrifice strength and health through excessive labor, so that their usefulness should prematurely end and they be unable to work in the vineyard of the Lord. It is not merely the gatherers of the fruit that are the essential laborers; all who assist in digging about the plants, watering, pruning, and lifting up the drooping, trailing vines, and leading their tendrils to entwine about the true trellis, the sure support, are workmen who cannot be spared. 1T 518.3"
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
Both passages discuss the need for more laborers in God's work. The EGW passage expands on this by illustrating the different roles involved, using the metaphor of a vineyard. The connection is valid and meaningful.
"Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone."
Both passages address the danger of overwork and the need for delegation or support. The EGW passage speaks of the husband's excessive labor and the potential for others to sacrifice their health, while Exodus 18:18 warns Moses about wearing himself out. The connection is valid and meaningful.
"And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you."
Both passages emphasize that all roles are important and necessary. The EGW passage illustrates this principle within the context of the office, while 1 Corinthians 12:21 uses the analogy of the body. The connection is valid.