"working forces? Men and women who are thoroughly converted, men and women of discernment and keen foresight, should act as directors. Good judgment must be exercised in employing persons to do this special work,—persons who love God and who walk before Him in all humility, persons who will be effective agencies in God's hand for the accomplishment of the object He has in view,—the uplifting and saving of human beings. GW 360.1"
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of humility and walking with God, which directly reflects the core message of Micah 6:8. The call to love God and walk humbly with Him is a central principle echoed in EGW's description of the qualities needed in effective workers.
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
Both passages discuss the need for workers in God's service. Matthew 9:37 highlights the scarcity of laborers for the harvest, while EGW emphasizes the qualities needed in those who are chosen for special work. The connection lies in the shared theme of needing dedicated individuals to carry out God's work.
"Medical missionary evangelists will be able to do excellent pioneer work. The work of the minister should blend fully with that of the medical missionary evangelist. The Christian physician should regard his work as exalted as that of the ministry. He bears a double responsibility; for in him are combined the qualifications of both physician and gospel minister. His is a grand, a sacred, and a very necessary work. GW 360.2"
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."
Both passages discuss the diversity of gifts and roles within a spiritual context. The EGW passage focuses on the blending of medical and ministerial work, while the Bible verse speaks more broadly about different gifts from the same Spirit. The connection is thematic but not a direct allusion.
"The physician and the minister should realize that they are engaged in the same work. They should labor in perfect harmony. They should counsel together. By their unity they will bear witness that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world to save all who will believe in Him as their personal Saviour. GW 360.3"
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of unity expressed in John 17:21. Both emphasize the importance of unity among believers (or, in EGW's context, among ministers and physicians) as a witness to the world that God sent Jesus.