The day of trust and responsibility is ours; we have a work to do for God. The church in ----- has been gradually growing cold and irreligious. There is much to be done for its individual members. Great light has shone upon their pathway. For this they will be held accountable. Said Christ: “Ye are the light of the world;” “ye are the salt of the earth.” They need a deeper work of grace in their hearts. There must be a reformation before God can bless them. There are plenty of formal professors. A selfish grasping for gain eclipses the heavenly inheritance. If the kingdom of heaven is made first, noble integrity will shine forth in the life and character. This is what Brother A needs if he would exert an influence for good. He loves to handle money, and to see it accumulate by turning it one way and another. His mind and affections are absorbed in worldly enterprises. He is drunken with the cares of this life; that is, he is so swallowed up in his business that he cannot think rational…
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
EGW directly quotes "Ye are the light of the world" from Matthew 5:14.
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
EGW directly quotes "ye are the salt of the earth" from Matthew 5:13.
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
EGW's statement, "Great light has shone upon their pathway. For this they will be held accountable," reflects the principle of increased responsibility for those who have received more, as stated in Luke 12:48.
Brother A has excused himself for not making the Scriptures his study because he was a businessman. But to one pressed with business cares the Scriptures will be a source of strength and safety. Such a man has greater need of light from the word of God, of its counsels and warnings, than if he were not placed in such a dangerous position. If Brother A would exercise the same forethought and business tact in the things of God that he has given to worldly matters, he would realize blessed results. If he thinks that God is satisfied with him while giving his talent and energy almost entirely to the service of mammon, he is fearfully deceived. Said Christ: “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.” If Brother A continues to make eternal things subordinate to his worldly interests, his passion for accumulating will steadily increase until it will overrule princip…
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
While the EGW passage directly quotes Matthew 6:24, the broader context of urging Brother A to prioritize spiritual matters over business aligns with the principle of seeking God's kingdom first, as stated in Matthew 6:33. The passage amplifies the idea of prioritizing God over worldly concerns.
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of Scripture study for guidance and strength, which connects to the idea of finding wisdom and understanding as described in Proverbs 3:13. The connection is thematic, as both passages highlight the benefits of seeking spiritual knowledge.