"Brethren, awake from your life of selfishness, and act like consistent Christians. The Lord requires you to economize your means and let every dollar not needed for your comfort flow into the treasury. Sisters, take that ten cents, that twenty cents, that dollar which you were about to spend for candies, for ruffles, or for ribbons, and donate it to God's cause. Many of our sisters earn good wages, but it is nearly all spent in gratifying their pride of dress. 5T 156.1"
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:"
Both passages address the idea of not focusing on earthly possessions and treasures, but instead investing in spiritual matters or God's work. EGW specifically mentions avoiding unnecessary spending on personal adornments, while Matthew 6:19 speaks more generally about not accumulating earthly treasures.
"The wants of the cause will continually increase as we near the close of time. Means is needed to give young men a short course of study in our schools, to prepare them for efficient work in the ministry and in different branches of the cause. We are not coming up to our privilege in this matter. All schools among us will soon be closed up. How much more might have been done had men obeyed the requirements of Christ in Christian beneficence! What an influence would this readiness to give all for Christ have had upon the world! It would have been one of the most convincing arguments in favor of the truth we profess to believe—an argument which the world could not misunderstand nor gainsay. The Lord would have distinguished us with His blessing even before the eyes of the world. 5T 156.2"
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The EGW passage emphasizes prioritizing God's work (preparing young ministers) and trusting that God will provide. This aligns with the principle in Matthew 6:33 of seeking God's kingdom first, with the promise that other needs will be met.
"The first Christian church had not the privileges and opportunities we have. They were a poor people, but they felt the power of the truth. The object before them was sufficient to lead them to invest all. They felt that the salvation or the loss of a world depended upon their instrumentality. They cast in their all and held themselves in readiness to go or come at the Lord's bidding. 5T 156.3"
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
Both passages highlight the selflessness and dedication of the early Christian church, particularly their willingness to share resources and prioritize the mission. EGW contrasts this with the situation in her time, while Acts 4:32 describes the communal living of the early believers.