"Many who profess to be Christians neglect the claims of God, and yet they do not feel that in this there is any wrong. They know that the blasphemer, the murderer, the adulterer, deserves punishment; but as for them, they enjoy the services of religion. They love to hear the gospel preached, and therefore they think themselves Christians. Though they have spent their lives in caring for themselves, they will be as much surprised as was the unfaithful servant in the parable to hear the sentence, “Take the talent from him.” Like the Jews, they mistake the enjoyment of their blessings for the use they should make of them. COL 365.2"
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
EGW draws a parallel between neglecting God's claims and the fate of the unfaithful servant, culminating in the same sentence from Matthew 25:30. The connection is strong and thematic.
"Many who excuse themselves from Christian effort plead their inability for the work. But did God make them so incapable? No, never. This inability has been produced by their own inactivity and perpetuated by their deliberate choice. Already, in their own characters, they are realizing the result of the sentence, “Take the talent from him.” The continual misuse of their talents will effectually quench for them the Holy Spirit, which is the only light. The sentence, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness,” sets Heaven's seal to the choice which they themselves have made for eternity. COL 365.3"
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 25:30, solidifying the connection as an explicit allusion. She uses the verse to illustrate the consequences of misusing talents.