conveniences, and even of some of the necessaries of life, to help this minister, whom they believed to be a faithful servant of Christ. They did all this in good faith, helping him as they would have helped their Saviour. But it was the means of ruining the man. His heart was not right with God; he lacked principle. He was not a truly converted man. The more he received, the greater was his desire for means. He gathered all he could from his brethren, until he had been helped, through their liberalities, to a valuable home; then he apostatized, and became the bitterest enemy of the very ones who had been most liberal to him. This man will have to render an account for the means that he has taken from truehearted believers in the truth. He did not rob them, but the treasury of God. We wish him no evil; for “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” He has walked in the ways of his heart and in the sight of his eyes, b…
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
The EGW passage describes a minister who appeared faithful but was inwardly corrupt, using his position for personal gain and ultimately betraying those who supported him. This aligns with the warning in Matthew 7:15 about false prophets who appear harmless but are actually destructive. The parallel is thematic, focusing on the deceptive nature of those who are not genuine in their faith.
"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."
The EGW passage describes a minister whose desire for money led him to apostasy. This aligns with the warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 about the love of money being the root of all evil, leading people to stray from the faith. The parallel is thematic, focusing on the corrupting influence of greed.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The EGW passage describes a minister who took advantage of the generosity of others and ultimately apostatized. The statement "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" and the overall narrative connect to the principle of reaping what you sow in Galatians 6:7. The minister's actions had consequences, reflecting the idea that one's deeds will be judged.