"Duty of the Publishing House to the Church While the church has a responsibility to the publishing house, so also has the publishing house to the church. Each is to uphold the other. 7T 187"
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
Both passages emphasize the interconnectedness and mutual support within a body (the church or the body of Christ). The EGW passage applies this principle to the relationship between the publishing house and the church, mirroring the idea of interdependent members in 1 Corinthians 12:27.
"Those in positions of responsibility in the publishing houses should not allow themselves to be so pressed with work that they have no time for maintaining the spiritual interest. When this interest is kept alive in the publishing house, it will exert a powerful influence in the church; and when it is kept alive in the church, it will exert a powerful influence in the publishing house. God's blessing will rest on the work when it is so conducted that souls are won to Christ. 7T 187.3"
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle of prioritizing spiritual interests (seeking first the kingdom of God) to the context of publishing houses, stating that God's blessing will follow when souls are won to Christ.
"All the workers in the publishing house who profess the name of Christ should be workers in the church. It is essential to their own spiritual life that they improve every means of grace. They will obtain strength, not by standing as spectators, but by becoming workers. Everyone should be enlisted in some line of regular, systematic labor in connection with the church. All should realize that as Christians this is their duty. By their baptismal vow they stand pledged to do all in their power to build up the church of Christ. Show them that love and loyalty to their Redeemer, loyalty to the standard of true manhood and womanhood, loyalty to the institution with which they are connected, demands this. They cannot be faithful servants of Christ, they cannot be men and women of real integrity, they cannot be acceptable workers in God's institution, while neglecting these duties. 7T 187.4"
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The EGW passage strongly echoes the sentiment of Hebrews 10:25, emphasizing the importance of active participation in church life and not neglecting the assembling of believers. It provides a detailed explanation of why such participation is essential for spiritual growth and fulfilling one's Christian duty.