"The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our capabilities. Not all reach the same development or do with equal efficiency the same work. God does not expect the hyssop to attain the proportions of the cedar, or the olive the height of the stately palm. But each should aim just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for him to reach. Ed 267.1"
"But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
The EGW passage discusses how individuals have different capabilities and roles, using the analogy of different plants. This aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 12:18, which states that God has placed each member in the body as He pleased. Both passages emphasize the idea that God assigns different roles and functions to individuals based on their abilities.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;"
Both passages discuss the idea of differing gifts and abilities. Romans 12:6 speaks of having gifts differing according to grace. EGW speaks of different capabilities and not all reaching the same development. The connection is thematic, focusing on the diversity of gifts and abilities within a community.
"He who came from heaven to be our example spent nearly thirty years of His life in common, mechanical labor; but during this time He was studying the word and the works of God, and helping, teaching, all whom His influence could reach. When His public ministry began, He went about healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and preaching the gospel to the poor. This is the work of all His followers. Ed 267.4"
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
Both passages describe Jesus' ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing. The EGW passage directly echoes the activities described in Matthew 4:23.
"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 describe Jesus' ministry, particularly focusing on preaching to the poor and healing. The EGW passage echoes the themes and activities described in Luke 4:18.