"There is plenty of work for all to do. You, my dear brother, can with all safety do good service for the Lord in helping those who most need aid. You may feel that your work in this direction is not rightly appreciated; but remember that our Savior's work was also lightly considered by those whom He benefited. He came to save those who were lost, but the very ones whom He sought to rescue refused His help and finally put Him to death. 4T 132.1"
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
EGW explicitly references the Savior's work to save the lost, directly echoing the sentiment and purpose described in Luke 19:10.
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
The EGW passage directly references the rejection of Jesus, echoing the sentiment in John 1:11. The phrase 'his own received him not' is a clear parallel.
"If you fail ninety-nine times in a hundred, but succeed in saving the one soul from ruin, you have done a noble deed for the Master's cause. But to be a co-worker with Jesus, you should have all patience with those for whom you labor, not scorning the simplicity of the work, but looking to the blessed result. When those for whom you labor do not exactly meet your mind, you often say in your heart: “Let them go; they are not worth saving.” What if Christ had treated poor outcasts in a similar manner? He died to save miserable sinners, and if you work in the same spirit and in the same manner indicated by the example of Him whom you follow, leaving the results with God, you can never in this life measure the amount of good you have accomplished. 4T 132.2"
"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Both passages emphasize the importance of saving even one lost soul, drawing a parallel to the parable of the lost sheep. The EGW passage expands on the idea of not giving up on those who seem difficult to help, mirroring the shepherd's persistence in finding the lost sheep.
"You are inclined to reach for higher work than that which naturally presents itself to you. You would seek to influence only the intellectual and honorable among men. But this class will surely disappoint your expectations. If they continue long in transgression, they seldom fully feel their lost and hopeless condition. You should work, as did Christ, in all humility, and you will not lose your reward. It is as honorable to work among the humble and lowly, leading them to the Saviour, as among the rich and great. Above all, do not undertake responsibilities that you are unable to carry. 4T 132.3"
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Both passages highlight the importance of humility and serving those who are less fortunate. EGW directly mentions working in humility like Christ, which aligns with the meek and lowly nature described in Matthew 11:29.
"Everything possible should be done to make the meetings of our people interesting. You may be a great help in this if you take the proper course. Especially should our social meetings be properly conducted. A few pointed words in relation to your progress in the divine life, spoken in a clear, audible voice, in an earnest manner, without any effort of speech, would be edifying to others and a blessing to your own soul. 4T 132.4"
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."
Both passages discuss the importance of edifying and contributing to meetings. EGW's emphasis on sharing personal progress in the divine life aligns with the idea of each person contributing something beneficial to the gathering, as described in 1 Corinthians 14:26.