"When you doled out the pittance of bread to the starving poor, when you gave those flimsy garments to shield them from the biting frost, did you remember that you were giving to the Lord of glory? All the days of your life I was near you in the person of these afflicted ones, but you did not seek Me. You would not enter into fellowship with Me. I know you not. DA 640.1"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage directly alludes to Matthew 25:40, emphasizing the idea that acts of kindness towards the needy are acts of kindness towards Christ himself.
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
The EGW passage alludes to Matthew 7:23 with the phrase "I know you not," which is a direct reference to Jesus's rejection of those who claim to follow him but do not do his will. The context of neglecting the poor further strengthens the connection.
"trod, to look upon the lake beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great city, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation. In doing as Jesus did when on earth, we shall walk in His steps. DA 640.2"
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle of following Christ's example, as stated in 1 Peter 2:21. It provides concrete examples of where to find opportunities to emulate Jesus's actions.
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
Both passages emphasize Jesus' ministry to the sick and poor. EGW's passage expands on the idea of following Jesus' example by ministering to those in need, echoing the actions described in Matthew 9:35.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
Both passages highlight Jesus' ministry to the poor, brokenhearted, and captives. EGW's passage encourages believers to follow in Jesus' footsteps by ministering to those in need, aligning with the description of Jesus' mission in Luke 4:18.
"All may find something to do. “The poor always ye have with you,” ( John 12:8 ), Jesus said, and none need feel that there is no place where they can labor for Him. Millions upon millions of human souls ready to perish, bound in chains of ignorance and sin, have never so much as heard of Christ's love for them. Were our condition and theirs to be reversed, what would we desire them to do for us? All this, so far as lies in our power, we are under the most solemn obligation to do for them. Christ's rule of life, by which every one of us must stand or fall in the judgment, is, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matthew 7:12 . DA 640.3"
"For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."
Ellen White directly references John 12:8 in this passage.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 7:12 in this passage.
"The Saviour has given His precious life in order to establish a church capable of caring for sorrowful, tempted souls. A company of believers may be poor, uneducated, and unknown; yet in Christ they may do a work in the home, the neighborhood, the church, and even in “the regions beyond,” whose results shall be as far-reaching as eternity. DA 640.4"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Both passages discuss the mission of believers. Matthew 28:19-20 is the Great Commission, calling believers to teach and baptize. EGW's passage speaks of believers doing work in various areas, including "the regions beyond," which aligns with the missionary aspect of the Great Commission.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Both passages discuss the church. Ephesians 5:25-27 describes Christ's love and sacrifice for the church to make it holy. EGW's passage speaks of the church's role in caring for souls, which is a result of Christ's sacrifice.
"It is because this work is neglected that so many young disciples never advance beyond the mere alphabet of Christian experience. The light which was glowing in their own hearts when Jesus spoke to them, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” they might have kept alive by helping those in need. The restless energy that is so often a source of danger to the young might be directed into channels through which it would flow out in streams of blessing. Self would be forgotten in earnest work to do others good. DA 640.5"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Both passages connect acts of service to others with service to Christ. EGW speaks of helping those in need, while Matthew 25:40 explicitly states that actions done to the 'least of these' are done to Jesus.
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Both passages emphasize the principle of giving and receiving, with the EGW passage elaborating on the spiritual benefits of helping others, aligning with the idea that 'it shall be given unto you' in Luke 6:38.