"Chapter 49—Industry in the Ministry I have been shown that there is danger of our young ministers entering the field and engaging in the work of teaching the truth to others when they are not fitted for the sacred work of God. They have no just sense of the sacredness of the work for this time. They feel a desire to be connected with the work, but they fail to bear the burdens lying directly in the pathway of duty. They do that which costs them but little taxation and inconvenience, and neglect to put their whole souls into the work. 3T 551"
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
Both passages discuss the qualifications and character of ministers. While 1 Timothy 3 provides a list of specific qualities, the EGW passage echoes the sentiment that ministers should be fitted for the sacred work and possess a sense of its importance. It's not a direct principle, but a thematic overlap.
"Some are too indolent to make a success of life in business matters and are deficient in the experience necessary to make them good Christians in a private capacity; yet they feel competent to engage in the work which is of all others the most difficult, that of dealing with minds and trying to convert souls from error to the truth. The hearts of some of these ministers are not sanctified by the truth. All such are merely stumbling blocks to sinners and are standing in the way of real laborers. It will take more stern labor to educate them to right ideas, that they may not injure the cause of God, than to do the work. God cannot be glorified or His cause advanced by unconsecrated workmen who are entirely deficient in the qualifications necessary to make a gospel minister. Some young ministers who go forth to labor for others need themselves to be thoroughly converted to the genuine religion of the Bible. 3T 551.3"
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Both passages warn against those who are not genuinely qualified or consecrated to ministry. Matthew 7:15 uses the metaphor of wolves in sheep's clothing, while EGW describes ministers who are indolent, unconsecrated, and stumbling blocks. The core idea of deceptive or unqualified religious leaders connects them.