"Then I said, “Will you take care of these berries, and then go with me to look for more fruit on the high bushes?” But they had made no preparation to care for the fruit. There were dishes and sacks in abundance, but they had been used to hold food. I became tired of waiting, and finally asked, “Did you not come to gather fruit? Then why are you not prepared to take care of it?” GW 138.1"
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
The lack of preparation for gathering fruit in the EGW passage thematically parallels the unpreparedness of the foolish virgins in Matthew 25. Both highlight the importance of being ready and equipped for a task.
"I answered, “I cannot understand this kind of work. I shall go to the bushes again at once. The day is already far spent, soon the night will be here, in which we can gather no fruit.” Some went with me, but others remained by the wagon to eat. GW 138.3"
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
EGW's statement about the night coming when no fruit can be gathered directly echoes the sentiment in John 9:4 about working while it is day. The context of urgency in labor is very similar.
"In one place a little company had collected, and were busily talking about something in which they seemed much interested. I drew near, and found that a little child in a woman's arms had attracted their attention. I said, “You have but a little time, and might better work while you can.” GW 138.4"
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
Similar to pair 2, EGW's urging to work while they can, given the limited time, is a clear echo of John 9:4. The context of prioritizing work over distractions is also present.
"Thus the day wore on, and very little was accomplished. At last I said: “Brethren, you call this an unsuccessful expedition. If this is the way you work, I do not wonder at your lack of success. Your success or failure depends upon the way you take hold of the work. There are berries here; for I have found them. Some of you have been searching the low bushes in vain; others have found a few berries; but the high bushes have been passed by, simply because you did not expect to find fruit on them. You see that the fruit which I have gathered is large and ripe. In a little while other berries will ripen, and we can go over the bushes again. This is the way in which I was taught to gather fruit. If you had searched near the wagon, you might have found fruit as well as I. GW 138.6"
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
The connection is valid. EGW's description of finding berries by searching diligently and in unexpected places parallels the principle of 'seek and ye shall find' in Matthew 7:7. The emphasis on effort and persistence is shared.