"The first and the last are to be sharers in the great, eternal reward, and the first should gladly welcome the last. He who grudges the reward to another forgets that he himself is saved by grace alone. The parable of the laborers rebukes all jealousy and suspicion. Love rejoices in the truth and institutes no envious comparisons. He who possesses love compares only the loveliness of Christ and his own imperfect character. COL 402.1"
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The EGW passage explicitly connects the parable of the laborers to the principle of salvation by grace alone, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9. It emphasizes that grudging reward to others forgets the foundation of one's own salvation.
"This parable is a warning to all laborers, however long their service, however abundant their labors, that without love to their brethren, without humility before God, they are nothing. There is no religion in the enthronement of self. He who makes self-glorification his aim will find himself destitute of that grace which alone can make him efficient in Christ's service. Whenever pride and self-complacency are indulged, the work is marred. COL 402.2"
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 13:2, emphasizing that without love (charity), even great gifts and accomplishments are meaningless. EGW focuses on the absence of love due to self-glorification.
"It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God. In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded. The smallest duty done in sincerity and self- forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking. He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals. He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do. COL 402.3"
"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."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 25:21 regarding faithfulness and God's acceptance of service based on willingness and fidelity rather than the amount of work done. The parable of the talents emphasizes faithfulness over quantity, which is the core principle EGW is highlighting.
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in 1 Samuel 16:7 that God values the heart and inner character over outward appearances or achievements. EGW applies this to service, emphasizing willingness, fidelity, and the spirit of Christ.
"Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant the life—it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and we are recognized as laborers together with God. COL 402.4"
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Galatians 2:20 that the believer's life is now Christ living in them. EGW describes the conditions under which Christ abides in the soul, which include the death of selfishness and the presence of love and gratitude.
"However trying their labor, the true workers do not regard it as drudgery. They are ready to spend and to be spent; but it is a cheerful work, done with a glad heart. Joy in God is expressed through Jesus Christ. Their joy is the joy set before Christ—“to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34 . They are in co-operation with the Lord of glory. This thought sweetens all toil, it braces the will, it nerves the spirit for whatever may befall. Working with unselfish heart, ennobled by being partakers of Christ's sufferings, sharing His sympathies, and co-operating with Him in His labor, they help to swell the tide of His joy and bring honor and praise to His exalted name. COL 402.5"
"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
Ellen White directly references John 4:34 in this passage.
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."
Both passages discuss the idea of spending and being spent in service to others. EGW connects this to Christ's joy in doing God's will, while 2 Corinthians 12:15 expresses Paul's willingness to sacrifice for the Corinthians.