The tongue of the minister is not to be employed in telling men the best way to bury their means in the earth; he should tell them how to invest safely in the bank of heaven. May the Lord impart to you spiritual discernment, is my prayer; for you will surely make shipwreck of faith unless you get into a different condition spiritually. You need the converting power of God, and unless you are changed you will surely let go your hold of the truth. But although you should gain the whole world, it would be a poor return for the loss of your soul. May the Lord help you, my brother, to come speedily to your senses and move like a man who has a well- balanced mind. May you take up your work with heart and lips sanctified, and walk humbly with your God. 5T 532.1 ***** Chapter 62—Practical Godliness Dear Brethren and Sisters at Oakland, My mind is drawn out to write to you. Again and again I find myself talking to you in my dreams, and in every case you are in trouble. But whatever comes, let i…
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
Both passages contrast earthly treasures with heavenly treasures, advocating for investing in the latter.
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
EGW directly alludes to the concept of gaining the world but losing one's soul, echoing the sentiment of Mark 8:36.
"We must study the warnings and corrections He has given His people in past ages. We do not lack light. We know what works we should avoid and what requirements He has given us to observe; so if we do not seek to know and do that which is right, it is because wrongdoing suits the carnal heart better than rightdoing. 5T 532.3"
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of learning from past examples found in 1 Corinthians 10:11. The verse speaks of the Old Testament events serving as warnings, and EGW emphasizes studying past warnings and corrections.