"It is a sad fact that men who have been entrusted with fine capabilities to be employed in the service of God, have prostituted their powers in the service of evil, and laid their talents at the feet of the enemy. They submitted in the most servile bondage to the prince of evil, while rejecting the service of Christ as humiliating and undesirable. They looked upon the work of the follower of Christ as a work below their ambition, that required a stepping down from their greatness, a species of slavery, that would enthrall their powers, and narrow the circle of their influence. He who had made an infinite sacrifice that they might be set free from the bondage of evil, was set aside as unworthy of their best efforts and most exalted service. CE 102.1"
"Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury."
Both passages address the idea of misusing talents or resources. The EGW passage speaks of prostituting one's powers to evil, while the Bible verse speaks of not investing money to gain interest. The connection is that both involve failing to use what one has been given for its intended purpose.
"These men had received their talents from God, and every gem of thought by which they had been esteemed worthy of the attention of scholars and thinkers, belongs not to them, but to the God of all wisdom, whom they did not acknowledge. Through tradition, through false education, these men are exalted as the world's educators; but in going to them students are in danger of accepting the vile with the precious; for superstition, specious reasoning, and error are mingled with portions of true philosophy and instruction. This mingling makes a potion that is poisonous to the soul,—destructive of faith in the God of all truth. Those who have a thirst for knowledge need not go to these polluted fountains; for they are invited to come to the fountain of life and drink freely. Through searching the word of God, they may find the hidden treasure of truth that has long been buried beneath the rubbish of error, human tradition, and opinions of men. CE 102.2"
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
Both passages contrast worldly wisdom with God's wisdom. EGW expands on this by describing how worldly educators mix truth with error, making it a dangerous potion. The verse from Corinthians directly states the foolishness of worldly wisdom in God's eyes.
"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:"
Both passages warn against boasting in worldly wisdom or achievements. EGW speaks of those who are esteemed by the world but do not acknowledge God, while Jeremiah warns against glorying in wisdom, might, or riches. The underlying theme is the danger of pride and self-reliance.