"When these principles control our hearts, we shall realize that the work is God's, not ours; that He has the same care for every part of the great whole. When Christ and His glory are made first and love of self is swallowed up in love for souls for whom Christ died, then no worker will be so entirely absorbed in one branch of the cause as to lose sight of the importance of every other. It is selfishness which leads persons to think that the particular part of the work in which they are engaged is the most important of all. 5T 727.1"
"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 3:7, emphasizing that the work is God's, not the individual's. Both passages highlight the importance of recognizing God as the source of success and growth, rather than individual effort.
"It is selfishness also that prompts the feeling, on the part of workers, that their judgment must be the most reliable and their methods of labor the best or that it is their privilege in any way to bind the conscience of another. Such was the spirit of the Jewish leaders in Christ's day. In their self-exaltation the priests and rabbis brought in such rigid rules and so many forms and ceremonies as to divert the minds of the people from God and leave Him no chance to work for them. Thus His mercy and love were lost sight of. My brethren, do not follow in the same path. Let the minds of the people be directed to God. Leave Him a chance to work for those who love Him. Do not impose upon the people rules and regulations, which, if followed, would leave them as destitute of the Spirit of God as were the hills of Gilboa of dew or rain. 5T 727.2"
"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
Both passages address the issue of imposing burdensome rules and regulations on others, drawing a parallel between the actions of the Jewish leaders in Christ's time and potential pitfalls within the author's own community. The EGW passage expands on the theme by warning against diverting people's minds from God through rigid rules.
"There is a deplorable lack of spirituality among our people. A great work must be done for them before they can become what Christ designed they should be—the light of the world. For years I have felt deep anguish of soul as the Lord has presented before me the want in our churches of Jesus and His love. There has been a spirit of self-sufficiency and a disposition to strive for position and supremacy. I have seen that self-glorification was becoming common among Seventh-day Adventists and that unless the pride of man should be abased and Christ exalted we should, as a people, be in no better condition to receive Christ at His second advent than were the Jewish people to receive Him at His first advent. 5T 727.3"
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
The EGW passage directly references the concept of being 'the light of the world,' which is a clear allusion to Matthew 5:14. The passage then expands on this idea by discussing the need for spiritual renewal and the dangers of self-sufficiency.