"There is danger that men will receive the counsel of men, when by so doing they will discard the counsel of God. Oh, what lessons all must learn before they will understand that God seeth not as man seeth. The Lord says: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9 . Unless there is a decided reformation among the people of God, He will turn His face from them. 8T 146.1"
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
EGW directly quotes Isaiah 55:8-9 to support her point about God's thoughts and ways being higher than man's.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
While not a direct quote, the principle of not leaning on one's own understanding and trusting in God (Proverbs 3:5-6) aligns with EGW's warning against relying on human counsel over God's.
"My brother, there is need of constant watchfulness, lest, in Battle Creek, building shall be piled upon building and advantage heaped upon advantage. The means thus expended will testify against us. You should put wise plans into operation and scatter the influence that is centering in Battle Creek, diffusing the light that God has given you. Blessed are they that sow beside all waters. The more there is invested in Battle Creek, the greater will be the demand for additional investment; but this is not in the order of God, and before a very long period of time shall pass, the mistake of centering interests in Battle Creek will be made evident. 8T 146.2"
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
EGW's statement about scattering influence and diffusing light connects thematically with the idea of scattering and yet increasing (Proverbs 11:24). The idea is that investing resources elsewhere will ultimately lead to greater growth.
"In adding building to building in Battle Creek, we are encouraging neglect of other fields. Superabundant advantages there mean destitution elsewhere. Other parts of the vineyard are robbed of the means they should have. Means should be invested elsewhere in winning souls to the truth and in providing houses of worship for them. 8T 146.3"
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
The passage in Matthew about the plenteous harvest and the need for laborers parallels EGW's concern that focusing resources in one area (Battle Creek) neglects other fields ripe for harvest.
"For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:"
The principle of equality and sharing abundance to meet the needs of others (2 Corinthians 8:13-14) directly relates to EGW's argument that the abundance in Battle Creek should be used to support other, less fortunate areas.
"God has pointed out the fact that it is the duty of those in Battle Creek to help His institutions in other places. As a wise steward of means you should scatter your forces, using the power of your influence to help those in darkness to know God as He is. 8T 146.4"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Both passages discuss the importance of believers influencing others to glorify God. EGW's passage speaks of scattering influence to help others know God, while Matthew 5:16 speaks of letting your light shine through good works. The connection is thematic and meaningful.