"to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. COL 342.1"
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 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. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The EGW passage speaks of a strict accounting of our talents, particularly time, which aligns with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. The parable illustrates the importance of using our gifts wisely and being held accountable for them.
"The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life. It is now that we are to prepare for the searching judgment. COL 342.2"
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of making the most of our time, which is a direct principle found in Ephesians 5:16, which urges us to redeem the time.
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
Both passages highlight the brevity and fleeting nature of life. James 4:14 describes life as a vapor, while the EGW passage states that life is too short to be trifled away.
"The human family have scarcely begun to live when they begin to die, and the world's incessant labor ends in nothingness unless a true knowledge in regard to eternal life is gained. The man who appreciates time as his working day will fit himself for a mansion and for a life that is immortal. It is well that he was born. COL 342.3"
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Both passages connect knowledge of God and Jesus Christ with eternal life. The EGW passage states that a true knowledge regarding eternal life must be gained, while John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ.
"We are admonished to redeem the time. But time squandered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption. COL 342.4"
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
The EGW passage directly uses the phrase 'redeem the time' and expands on its meaning, aligning with the concept presented in Ephesians 5:16.
"In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place. He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. He is fitted to be the companion of the angels. COL 342.5"
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of John 1:12, emphasizing the transformation and adoption into God's family that occurs when one receives Christ. The idea of becoming a 'son of God' is central to both passages.