No earthly ties, no earthly considerations, should weigh one moment in the scale against duty to the cause and work of God. Jesus severed His connection from everything to save a lost world, and He requires of us a full and entire consecration. There are sacrifices to be made for the interests of God's cause. The sacrifice of feeling is the most keen that is required of us; yet after all it is a small sacrifice. You have plenty of friends, and if the feelings are only sanctified, you need not feel that you are making a very great sacrifice. You do not leave your wife among heathen. You are not called to tread the burning African desert or to face prisons and encounter trial at every step. Be careful how you appeal to your sympathies and let human feelings and personal considerations mingle with your efforts and labors for the cause of God. He demands unselfish and willing service. You can render this and yet do all your duties to your family; but hold this as a secondary matter. 3T 500…
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
The EGW passage strongly parallels Matthew 10:37, emphasizing the priority of devotion to God's work over earthly ties and personal feelings. The call for full consecration and willingness to make sacrifices for the cause of God directly reflects the sentiment of loving God more than family.
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
Both passages emphasize prioritizing devotion to God above earthly relationships, even family. Luke 14:26 uses strong language ('hate') to illustrate the necessary commitment, while EGW softens it but maintains the core principle of prioritizing God's work.