"In the various departments of secular labor, mental and physical, faithful workmen can earn good wages. Is not the work of disseminating truth, and leading souls to Christ, of more importance than any ordinary business? And are not those who faithfully engage in this work justly entitled to ample remuneration? By our estimate of the relative value of labor for moral and for physical good, we show our appreciation of the heavenly in contrast with the earthly. AA 341.1"
"For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."
Both passages affirm the principle that laborers are worthy of their reward. 1 Timothy 5:18 uses the example of an ox not being muzzled while threshing grain. EGW applies this to ministers, arguing that their work is even more important than secular labor.
"Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle that a worker deserves their wages to those who spread the gospel, echoing the sentiment in Matthew 10:10.
"That there may be funds in the treasury for the support of the ministry, and to meet the calls for assistance in missionary enterprises, it is necessary that the people of God give cheerfully and liberally. A solemn responsibility rests upon ministers to keep before the churches the needs of the cause of God and to educate them to be liberal. When this is neglected, and the churches fail to give for the necessities of others, not only does the work of the Lord suffer, but the blessing that should come to believers is withheld. AA 341.2"
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Both passages connect giving to God with blessings and the support of ministry. Malachi 3:10 focuses on tithes, while EGW broadens it to include other forms of giving, but the core idea of giving leading to blessings is present in both.
"Even the very poor should bring their offerings to God. They are to be sharers of the grace of Christ by denying self to help those whose need is more pressing than their own. The poor man's gift, the fruit of self- denial, comes up before God as fragrant incense. And every act of self-sacrifice strengthens the spirit of beneficence in the giver's heart, allying him more closely to the One who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. AA 341.3"
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the concept of Christ's poverty leading to our riches, as described in 2 Corinthians 8:9.