"principle of business life, must we not recognize our obligation to God—the obligation that underlies every other? Ed 139.1"
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
EGW's statement about recognizing our obligation to God as the foundation aligns with the principle of seeking God's kingdom first, as stated in Matthew 6:33.
"By the terms of our stewardship we are placed under obligation, not only to God, but to man. To the infinite love of the Redeemer every human being is indebted for the gifts of life. Food and raiment and shelter, body and mind and soul—all are the purchase of His blood. And by the obligation of gratitude and service thus imposed, Christ has bound us to our fellow men. He bids us, “By love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 . “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40 . Ed 139.2"
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
Ellen White directly references Galatians 5:13 in this passage.
"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."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 25:40 in this passage.
"“I am debtor,” Paul declares, “both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Romans 1:14 . So also are we. By all that has blessed our life above others, we are placed under obligation to every human being whom we might benefit. Ed 139.3"
"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
EGW directly quotes Romans 1:14 and applies it to a similar principle of obligation.
"These truths are not for the closet more than for the counting room. The goods that we handle are not our own, and never can this fact safely be lost sight of. We are but stewards, and on the discharge of our obligation to God and man depend both the welfare of our fellow beings and our own destiny for this life and for the life to come. Ed 139.4"
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
EGW's statement about stewardship and faithfulness in handling resources echoes the principle found in 1 Corinthians 4:2. While not a direct quote, the concept is clearly linked.
"“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:24, 25 ; Ecclesiastes 11:1 . Ed 139.5"
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 11:24.
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 11:25.
"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 11:1.