"Other Talents The special gifts of the Spirit are not the only talents represented in the parable. It includes all gifts and endowments, whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be employed in Christ's service. In becoming His disciples, we surrender ourselves to Him with all that we are and have. These gifts He returns to us purified and ennobled, to be used for His glory in blessing our fellow men. COL 328"
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Both passages discuss the use of gifts (talents) received from God for service to others. EGW expands on the concept of 'gifts' to include all endowments, while 1 Peter 4:10 focuses on ministering the gifts received. The principle of stewardship is central to both.
"The promise of the Spirit is not appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be. It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe. COL 328.1"
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The EGW passage directly emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry, mirroring the promise and purpose of the Spirit as described in Acts 1:8.
"To every man God has given “according to his several ability.” The talents are not apportioned capriciously. He who has ability to use five talents receives five. He who can improve but two, receives two. He who can wisely use only one, receives one. None need lament that they have not received larger gifts; for He who has apportioned to every man is equally honored by the improvement of each trust, whether it be great or small. The one to whom five talents have been committed is to render the improvement of five; he who has but one, the improvement of one. God expects returns “according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Corinthians 8:12 . COL 328.3"
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."
EGW directly references and quotes Matthew 25:15.
"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."
Ellen White directly references 2 Corinthians 8:12 in this passage.