"There is nothing more offensive to God than this narrow, self-caring spirit. He cannot work with any who manifest these attributes. They are insensible to the working of His Spirit. COL 400.1"
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The EGW passage speaks of a narrow, self-caring spirit being offensive to God and hindering the working of His Spirit. This aligns with Ephesians 4:30, which warns against grieving the Holy Spirit. Both passages connect negative attitudes with hindering the Spirit's work.
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
Both passages contrast a self-centered, 'fleshly' mindset with a Spirit-led one. EGW describes a 'narrow, self-caring spirit' that is offensive to God, while Romans 8:5-8 contrasts those who 'mind the things of the flesh' with those who 'mind the things of the Spirit,' stating that the carnal mind is enmity against God. The connection lies in the shared theme of the incompatibility between selfishness and pleasing God.
"The Jews had been first called into the Lord's vineyard, and because of this they were proud and self- righteous. Their long years of service they regarded as entitling them to receive a larger reward than others. Nothing was more exasperating to them than an intimation that the Gentiles were to be admitted to equal privileges with themselves in the things of God. COL 400.2"
"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
The EGW passage directly interprets the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) as reflecting the Jews' attitude toward the Gentiles. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
The EGW passage describes the Jews' pride and resentment towards Gentiles being admitted to equal privileges. This aligns with Acts 13:46, where Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles after the Jews reject the word of God, highlighting the Jews' unworthiness and the extension of God's grace to others.
"Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Romans 9:4-5 lists the privileges of the Israelites. The EGW passage speaks of the Jews' pride in their special status. The connection is thematic, though not a direct allusion.
"Christ warned the disciples who had been first called to follow Him, lest the same evil should be cherished among them. He saw that the weakness, the curse of the church, would be a spirit of self-righteousness. Men would think they could do something toward earning a place in the kingdom of heaven. They would imagine that when they had made certain advancement, the Lord would come in to help them. Thus there would be an abundance of self and little of Jesus. Many who had made a little advancement would be puffed up and think themselves superior to others. They would be eager for flattery, jealous if not thought most important. Against this danger Christ seeks to guard His disciples. COL 400.3"
"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"
The EGW passage directly expands on the principle illustrated in Luke 18:9, which is the danger of self-righteousness and despising others. EGW provides more detail on how this manifests and its consequences.
"Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
The EGW passage discusses the disciples' potential for self-righteousness and desire for greatness. Luke 9:46-48 describes the disciples arguing about who was the greatest. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.
"Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
The EGW passage warns against self-righteousness, a desire for flattery, and jealousy. Galatians 5:26 warns against vain glory, provoking, and envying. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.