"You lack benevolence. You labor to save yourself from care, trouble, or expense for the cause of God. You have invested but little in the cause. The enterprise which man values the most will be seen by his investments. If he places a higher estimate upon eternal things than upon temporal things, he will show this by his works; he will invest the most, and venture the most, in that which he values the highest and which in the end brings him the greatest profit. 1T 691.1"
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle that one's actions and investments reveal their true priorities and affections, mirroring the core message of Matthew 6:21.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle that one's actions and investments reveal their true priorities and affections, mirroring the core message of Luke 12:34.
"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:"
Both passages discuss the importance of investing in eternal things rather than earthly possessions. EGW directly echoes the sentiment of laying up treasures in heaven by prioritizing God's cause through financial investment. The connection is strong and meaningful.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
While not a direct quote, the EGW passage's emphasis on giving according to one's heart and valuing the cause of God aligns with the principle of cheerful and purposeful giving described in 2 Corinthians 9:7.
"Men who profess the truth will engage in worldly enterprises, and invest much, and run great risks. If they lose nearly all they possess, they are deeply aggrieved, because they feel the inconvenience of the losses they have sustained; yet they do not feel that their unwise course has deprived the cause of God of means, and that as His stewards they must render an account for this squandering of the Lord's money. Should they be required to venture something for the cause of God, to invest a quarter even of that which they have lost by their investment in earthly things, they would feel that heaven costs too much. 1T 691.2"
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
The EGW passage directly addresses the concept of stewardship and accountability, which is the core message of 1 Corinthians 4:2.
"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
Both passages discuss the importance of being faithful with resources, even 'unrighteous mammon,' to be entrusted with greater things. The EGW passage expands on the idea of being faithful with earthly possessions in relation to spiritual riches.
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The parable of the talents illustrates the principle of using resources wisely and being accountable for them, which aligns with EGW's discussion of stewardship and the consequences of unwise investments.
"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."
While not a direct quote, the EGW passage implicitly connects to 1 Timothy 6:10. The love of money leading to sorrow and straying from faith is reflected in the EGW passage's description of those who prioritize worldly investments and are aggrieved by financial losses, suggesting a misplaced love of money. The connection is thematic and plausible.
"Eternal things are not appreciated. You are not a rich man, yet your heart may be just as much placed upon the little you have, and you may cling to it just as closely as the millionaire to his treasures. Small, very small, will be the profits realized by you in your investments in worldly enterprises; while, on the other hand, if you invest in the cause of God, make that cause a part of you, and love it as you love yourself, and are willing to sacrifice for its advancement, showing your confidence and faith in its ultimate triumph, you will reap a precious harvest, if not in this life, in the better life than this. You will reap an eternal reward which is of as much higher value than any common, earthly gains as the immortal is higher than the perishable. 1T 691.3"
"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."
EGW's statement directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 6:19-21, contrasting earthly and heavenly treasures and emphasizing the importance of investing in eternal things. The connection is clear and meaningful.