"The weight of the wrath of God will fall upon those who have misspent their time and served mammon instead of their Creator. If you live for God and heaven, pointing out the way of life to others, you will go onward and upward to higher and holier joys. You will be rewarded with the “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” The joy of Christ was that of seeing souls redeemed and saved in His glorious kingdom. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 4T 54.1"
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
EGW directly quotes "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" from Matthew 25:21.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
EGW directly quotes "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" from Hebrews 12:2.
"To gain the treasures of this world, and use them as you have done to separate your affections from God, will be to you in the end a terrible curse. You do not take time to read, to meditate, or to pray; and you have not taken time to instruct your children, keeping before them their highest interest. God loves your children; but they have had little encouragement to live a religious life. If you destroy their faith in the Testimonies you cannot reach them. The minds of poor, fallible mortals should be disciplined and educated in spiritual things. When the training is all in reference to the world, and to making a success of acquiring property, how can spiritual growth be attained? It is an impossibility. You, my brother, and your family might have risen to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus had you felt one half the interest to perfect Christian character and to serve the Lord that you have had to serve the world. 4T 54.2"
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
The EGW passage directly addresses the conflict between worldly pursuits and serving God, echoing the core message of Matthew 6:24 about not being able to serve two masters. The emphasis on affections being separated from God due to worldly treasures aligns with the warning against serving mammon.
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of instructing children and keeping their highest interest (spiritual development) before them. This directly reflects the command in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 to diligently teach children God's words.
"God is not well pleased that His servants should be ignorant of His divine will, novices in spiritual understanding, but wise in worldly wisdom and knowledge. Your earthly interest can bear no comparison with your eternal welfare. God has a higher work for you to do than that of acquiring property. You need a deep and thorough work accomplished for you. Your entire family need it, and may God help you all to attain perfection of Christian character. Your children can and should be a blessing to the youth of your community. By their example, by their conversation and actions, they can glorify their heavenly Father and grace the cause of religion. 4T 54.3"
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The EGW passage prioritizes eternal welfare over earthly interests and emphasizes that God has a higher work for individuals than acquiring property. This directly reflects the principle in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
The EGW passage contrasts worldly wisdom with spiritual understanding, stating that God is not pleased with those who are wise in worldly matters but ignorant of His divine will. This aligns with 1 Corinthians 3:19, which states that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.