"Special instruction has been given me in regard to our ministers. It is not God's will that they should seek to be rich. They should not engage in worldly enterprises; for this disqualifies them for giving their best powers to spiritual things. But they are to receive wages enough to support themselves and their families. They are not to have so many burdens laid upon them that they cannot give proper attention to the church in their own family; for it is their special duty to train their children for the Lord. GW 271"
"One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
EGW's statement about ministers needing to train their children and not being overburdened aligns directly with 1 Timothy 3:4-5, which emphasizes the importance of a leader managing his own household well as a prerequisite for leading the church. EGW is expanding on the principle outlined in Timothy.
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
EGW's statement that ministers should receive enough wages to support their families and not be burdened aligns with 1 Timothy 5:8, which states that those who do not provide for their own family have denied the faith. EGW is applying this principle specifically to ministers.
"Let ministers and teachers remember that God holds them accountable to fill their office to the best of their ability, to bring into their work their very best powers. They are not to take up duties that conflict with the work that God has given them. GW 271.3"
"Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;"
Both passages emphasize the importance of fulfilling one's ministry or teaching role diligently and to the best of one's ability. The EGW passage directly applies the principle of focusing on the work God has given them, which is reflected in Romans 12:7's encouragement to wait on ministering or teaching.
"When ministers and teachers, pressed under the burden of financial responsibilities, enter the pulpit or the schoolroom with wearied brain and overtaxed nerves, what else can be expected than that common fire will be used instead of the sacred fire of God's kindling? The strained, tattered efforts disappoint the listeners and hurt the speaker. He has had no time to seek the Lord, no time to ask in faith for the unction of the Holy Spirit.... GW 271.4"
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."
Both passages warn against offering something that is not divinely sanctioned or inspired. Nadab and Abihu offered 'strange fire,' while EGW warns against ministers offering 'common fire' instead of the 'sacred fire of God's kindling.' The consequence in both cases is negative.
"Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is."
Both passages use the metaphor of fire to describe the testing or revealing of one's work. In 1 Corinthians, fire reveals the quality of a person's work. In EGW, the lack of 'sacred fire' results in 'strained, tattered efforts' that disappoint.