"When Paul sent Titus to Corinth to strengthen the believers there, he instructed him to build up that church in the grace of giving, and in a personal letter to the believers he also added his own appeal. “As ye abound in everything,” he pleaded, “in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also,” “Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ... being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 8:7, 11, 12 ; 9:8-11 . AA 344.1"
"Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have."
EGW directly quotes 2 Corinthians 8:7, 11, 12 and 9:8-11.
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Corinthians 8:7 and other verses from chapters 8 and 9, using them to support the idea of giving generously.
"Unselfish liberality threw the early church into a transport of joy; for the believers knew that their efforts were helping to send the gospel message to those in darkness. Their benevolence testified that they had not received the grace of God in vain. What could produce such liberality but the sanctification of the Spirit? In the eyes of believers and unbelievers it was a miracle of grace. AA 344.2"
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."
EGW directly references the idea of receiving grace in vain and connects it to unselfish liberality, which aligns with the principle in 2 Corinthians 6:1.
"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,"
Both passages discuss the unselfish giving of the early church. Acts 4:34 describes the practical outworking of this generosity, while EGW reflects on its spiritual significance.
"Spiritual prosperity is closely bound up with Christian liberality. The followers of Christ should rejoice in the privilege of revealing in their lives the beneficence of their Redeemer. As they give to the Lord they have the assurance that their treasure is going before them to the heavenly courts. Would men make their property secure? Let them place it in the hands that bear the marks of the crucifixion. Would they enjoy their substance? Let them use it to bless the needy and suffering. Would they increase their possessions? Let them heed the divine injunction, “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9, 10 . Let them seek to retain their possessions for selfish purposes, and it will be to their eternal loss. But let their treasure be given to God, and from that moment it bears His inscription. It is sealed with His immutability. AA 344.3"
"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 3:9.
"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 discuss the idea of storing up treasure, either on earth or in heaven. EGW's statement about treasure going before them to heavenly courts echoes the sentiment of Matthew 6:20.