"Sister R is in poor health. She indulges her appetite and places too heavy a tax upon her stomach. She burdens it by overeating and by placing in it a quality of food not best calculated to nourish her system. Her food is taken in immoderate quantities, and she takes but little exercise; thus the system is severely taxed. According to the light which the Lord has given us, simple food is the best to ensure health and strength. Exercise is necessary to her health. 2T 432.1"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of taking care of one's body through proper diet and exercise. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 speaks of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and encourages believers to glorify God in their bodies. The EGW passage provides practical applications of this principle.
"Self-denial is a lesson which you both have yet to learn. Restrict your appetite, Brother R. God has given you a capital of strength. This is of more value to you than money and should be more highly prized. Strength cannot be purchased with gold or silver, houses or lands. It is a great possession that you have. God requires you to make a judicious use of the capital of strength with which He has blessed you. You are just as much His steward as is the man who has a capital of money. It is as wrong for you to fail to use your strength to the best advantage as it is for a rich man to covetously retain his riches because it is agreeable to do so. You do not make the exertion that you should to support your family. You can and do work if work is conveniently prepared to hand, but you do not exert yourself to set yourself to work feeling that it is a duty to use your time and strength to the very best advantage and in the fear of God. 2T 432.2"
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
Both passages emphasize self-control and discipline. The EGW passage focuses on self-denial in relation to physical strength and work ethic, while 1 Corinthians 9:25 speaks of temperance in all things in the context of athletic training. The connection is thematic, highlighting the importance of self-discipline in different areas of life.
"You have been in a business which would at times yield you large profits at once. After you have earned means you have not studied to economize in reference to a time when means could not be earned so easily, but have expended much for imaginary wants. Had you and your wife understood it to be a duty that God enjoined upon you to deny your taste and your desires, and make provision for the future instead of living merely for the present, you could now have had a competency and your family have had the comforts of life. You have a lesson to learn which you should not be backward in learning. It is to make a little go the longest way. 2T 432.3"
"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."
Both passages address the principle of wise spending versus foolishly squandering resources. The EGW passage provides a specific example of this principle in action, while Proverbs 21:20 states the principle directly.