"Many have failed, signally failed, where they might have made a success. They have not felt the burden of the work; they have taken things as leisurely as if they had a temporal millennium in which to work for the salvation of souls.... The cause of God is not so much in need of preachers as of earnest, persevering workers for the Master. God alone can measure the powers of the human mind. It was not His design that man should be content to remain in the lowlands of ignorance, but that he should secure all the advantages of an enlightened, cultivated intellect. GW 279.1"
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Both passages emphasize the importance of making the most of one's time and working diligently. EGW speaks against taking things leisurely and encourages earnest work for the salvation of souls. Ephesians 5:16 urges believers to redeem the time because the days are evil. The underlying theme of urgency and purposeful use of time connects them.
Every one should feel that there rests upon him an obligation to reach the height of intellectual greatness. While none should be puffed up because of the knowledge they have acquired, it is the privilege of all to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that with every advance step they are rendered more capable of honoring and glorifying God. They may draw from an inexhaustible fountain, the Source of all wisdom and knowledge. GW 279.2 Having entered the school of Christ, the student is prepared to engage in the pursuit of knowledge without becoming dizzy from the height to which he is climbing. As he goes on from truth to truth, obtaining clearer and brighter views of the wonderful laws of science and of nature, he becomes enraptured with the amazing exhibitions of God's love to man. He sees with intelligent eyes the perfection, knowledge, and wisdom of God stretching beyond into infinity. As his mind enlarges and expands, pure streams of light pour into his soul. The more he drinks from …
"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
Both passages highlight God as the source of wisdom and knowledge. EGW states that everyone should strive for intellectual greatness and draw from the inexhaustible fountain of wisdom. Proverbs 2:6 explicitly states that the Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. EGW is elaborating on this principle.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
The EGW passage discusses intellectual greatness and glorifying God through knowledge, which aligns with the principle of doing all things to the glory of God found in 1 Corinthians 10:31.