"Christ specified the things that are dangerous to the soul. As recorded by Mark He mentions the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things. Luke specifies the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life. These are what choke the word, the growing spiritual seed. The soul ceases to draw nourishment from Christ, and spirituality dies out of the heart. COL 51.1"
"And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."
EGW directly references Mark 4:19 and Luke's parallel account, specifying the 'cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things' as dangers to the soul that choke the word. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"“The cares of this world.” No class is free from the temptation to worldly care. To the poor, toil and deprivation and the fear of want bring perplexities and burdens. To the rich come fear of loss and a multitude of anxious cares. Many of Christ's followers forget the lesson He has bidden us learn from the flowers of the field. They do not trust to His constant care. Christ cannot carry their burden, because they do not cast it upon Him. Therefore the cares of life, which should drive them to the Saviour for help and comfort, separate them from Him. COL 51.2"
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Both passages encourage believers not to be anxious or burdened by worldly cares, but to rely on God. EGW's statement that 'Christ cannot carry their burden, because they do not cast it upon Him' directly reflects the principle of Philippians 4:6.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
Both passages address the dangers of worldly cares and anxieties, although EGW focuses on the specific application to different social classes and the importance of trusting in God's care, drawing a parallel to the lesson of the flowers of the field.
Many who might be fruitful in God's service become bent on acquiring wealth. Their whole energy is absorbed in business enterprises, and they feel obliged to neglect things of a spiritual nature. Thus they separate themselves from God. We are enjoined in the Scriptures to be “not slothful in business.” Romans 12:11 . We are to labor that we may impart to him who needs. Christians must work, they must engage in business, and they can do this without committing sin. But many become so absorbed in business that they have no time for prayer, no time for the study of the Bible, no time to seek and serve God. At times the longings of the soul go out for holiness and heaven; but there is no time to turn aside from the din of the world to listen to the majestic and authoritative utterances of the Spirit of God. The things of eternity are made subordinate, the things of the world supreme. It is impossible for the seed of the word to bring forth fruit; for the life of the soul is given to nouris…
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
EGW directly quotes Romans 12:11 and expands upon its meaning in the context of business and spiritual life.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Both passages address the conflict between serving God and pursuing worldly wealth. EGW expands on the idea of being absorbed in business and neglecting spiritual matters, which aligns with the principle of not being able to serve both God and mammon.
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Both passages warn against the dangers of prioritizing wealth and the love of money over spiritual matters. EGW describes how the pursuit of wealth can lead to neglecting spiritual duties and separating oneself from God, which echoes the warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 about the love of money being the root of all evil.