"energy and zeal proportionate to the value of the object of which we are in pursuit. Eternal life is worth persevering, untiring effort. 5T 570.1"
"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 emphasize the importance of focusing on eternal rewards and making efforts towards spiritual goals. Matthew 6:20 encourages laying up treasures in heaven, while EGW stresses the need for persevering effort to attain eternal life.
"The Lord wants you and your family to be Christians in every sense of the word and to show in your characters the sanctifying power of the truth. If you had formed such characters, your works would stand the test of the judgment; should the fires of the last day kindle upon your works as they now are, they would prove to be only hay, wood, and stubble. Do not think this severe; it is true. Self has been mingled with all your labors. Will you come up to the high standard? It will be like learning the first principles of what constitutes a Christian character. Christ said to the apostle Peter: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” You, likewise, must be converted before you can do acceptable work for the Master. 5T 570.2"
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Both passages address the importance of genuine faith and aligning one's actions with God's will. Matthew 7:21 warns against mere lip service, while EGW speaks of the need for a transformed character and works that will withstand judgment, referencing the hay, wood, and stubble analogy.
My brother, if you will, you can be a strong man in God. You have talents of ability that God has entrusted to your keeping to be sanctified to His service. But if you do not yield up all to Christ, your ability will prove dangerous both to yourself and to others, leading them to walk apart from the truth and away from Christ. 5T 570.3 The members of the church in ----- need very much done for them. They must have fervent zeal for Christ, must be more humble, more patient, more kind, more teachable, more Christlike in every respect. In their character they should manifest to the world the sanctifying power of grace. God forbid that you should, by precept or example, bar the way to this essential work. Will you work with Jesus? Will you be true to the Lord who has bought you? Will you put into the background all matters of minor importance? You must be baptized into a larger faith, a larger charity. You need greater reverence for things of eternal importance. It is impossible for me to …
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of being strong in God through Christ, as found in 2 Timothy 2:1. The call to yield all to Christ and be a strong man in God aligns with the verse's encouragement to find strength in Christ's grace.