"might relieve the necessities of others. His was an unselfish life. Toward the close of his ministry, on the occasion of his farewell talk to the elders of Ephesus, at Miletus, he could lift up before them his toilworn hands, and say, “I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:33-35 . AA 352.1"
"I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Ellen White directly references Acts 20:33-35 in this passage.
"If ministers feel that they are suffering hardship and privation in the cause of Christ, let them in imagination visit the workshop where Paul labored. Let them bear in mind that while this chosen man of God is fashioning the canvas, he is working for bread which he has justly earned by his labors as an apostle. AA 352.2"
"If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ."
Both passages discuss Paul's willingness to endure hardship and forgo certain rights/privileges to avoid hindering the gospel. The EGW passage uses Paul's example of working with his hands to support himself, while 1 Corinthians 9:12 speaks of not using their power to be supported, both for the sake of the gospel.
"Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?"
Both passages discuss Paul's work and his right to be supported. 1 Corinthians 9:6 questions whether Paul and Barnabas have the right to refrain from working, while EGW emphasizes Paul's example of working to support himself. The connection lies in the theme of Paul's labor and its implications.
"Work is a blessing, not a curse. A spirit of indolence destroys godliness and grieves the Spirit of God. A stagnant pool is offensive, but a pure, flowing stream spreads health and gladness over the land. Paul knew that those who neglect physical work soon become enfeebled. He desired to teach young ministers that by working with their hands, by bringing into exercise their muscles and sinews, they would become strong to endure the toils and privations that awaited them in the gospel field. And he realized that his own teachings would lack vitality and force if he did not keep all parts of the system properly exercised. AA 352.3"
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:"
Both passages address the issue of laziness and the importance of diligence. Proverbs 6:6 uses the ant as an example for the sluggard, while EGW speaks against a spirit of indolence and its negative effects. The connection is thematic, focusing on the contrast between diligence and laziness.
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
Both passages touch on the concept of work. Genesis 3:19 describes work as a consequence of the fall, while EGW presents work as a blessing and a safeguard against indolence. While seemingly contradictory, EGW reinterprets the necessity of work into a positive attribute. The connection is thematic, revolving around the meaning and purpose of work.