"The barren tree receives the rain and the sunshine and the gardener's care. It draws nourishment from the soil. But its unproductive boughs only darken the ground, so that fruit-bearing plants cannot flourish in its shadow. So God's gifts, lavished on you, convey no blessing to the world. You are robbing others of privileges that, but for you, might be theirs. COL 217.1"
"Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"
Both passages use the imagery of a barren tree to represent unproductivity and the consequences thereof. The EGW passage expands on the idea of the tree hindering the growth of other plants, which is not explicitly in Luke 13:7 but aligns with the overall theme of fruitfulness.
"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Both passages discuss the fate of trees that do not bear good fruit, which is to be cut down. EGW's passage uses the imagery of the barren tree to illustrate the consequences of not using God's gifts to bless the world, aligning with the warning in Matthew 7:19.
"You realize, though it may be but dimly, that you are a cumberer of the ground. Yet in His great mercy God has not cut you down. He does not look coldly upon you. He does not turn away with indifference, or leave you to destruction. Looking upon you He cries, as He cried so many centuries ago concerning Israel, “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? ... I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man.” Hosea 11:8, 9 . The pitying Saviour is saying concerning you, Spare it this year also, till I shall dig about it and dress it. COL 217.2"
"How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together."
EGW directly quotes Hosea 11:8 and connects it to the idea of God's mercy and patience towards those who are unfruitful, referencing the parable of the barren tree being given another chance to bear fruit.
"And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:"
The EGW passage directly quotes Hosea 11:8,9 and alludes to Luke 13:8, connecting the themes of God's mercy and the opportunity for repentance before judgment. The reference to 'Spare it this year also, till I shall dig about it and dress it' is a clear allusion.