Some ministers fail of success because they do not give their undivided interest to the work, when very much depends upon persistent, well-directed labor. They are not true laborers; they do not pursue their work outside of the pulpit. They shirk the duty of going from house to house and laboring wisely in the home circle. They need to cultivate that rare Christian courtesy which would render them kind and considerate toward the souls under their care, working for them with true earnestness and faith, teaching them the way of life. GW 382.1 ***** There are in the ministry men who gain apparent success by swaying minds through human influence. They play upon the feelings at will, making their hearers weep, and in a few minutes laugh. Under labor of this kind, many are moved by impulse to profess Christ, and there is thought to be a wonderful revival; but when the test comes, the work does not endure. Feelings are stirred, and many are borne along by the tide that seems to be setting hea…
"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,"
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Paul's ministry in Acts 20:20, emphasizing the importance of personal, house-to-house ministry in addition to public preaching.
"So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us."
Both passages emphasize the importance of ministers/apostles being deeply invested in the well-being of their flock, going beyond mere preaching to personal care and dedication. Paul's willingness to impart his very soul aligns with White's call for ministers to labor wisely in the home circle and show true earnestness and faith.
"***** Ministers should be guarded, lest they thwart the purposes of God by plans of their own. Many are in danger of narrowing down the work of God, and confining their labor to certain localities, and not cultivating a special interest for the cause in all its various departments. GW 382.3"
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
The EGW quote directly warns against limiting God's work to one's own plans and localities, which is a specific application of the general principle in Isaiah 55:8 that God's thoughts and ways are higher and broader than human ones.