"***** The Minister's Wife The minister is paid for his work, and this is well. And if the Lord gives the wife as well as the husband the burden of labor, and she devotes her time and strength to visiting from family to family and opening the Scriptures to them, although the hands of ordination have not been laid upon her, she is accomplishing a work that is in the line of ministry. Then should her labors be counted as naught? GW 452"
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
The EGW quote argues that women who contribute to ministry should be recognized and compensated, even if not ordained. This aligns with the spirit of Galatians 3:28, which emphasizes equality in Christ, regardless of gender. The connection is thematic, focusing on the principle of equality and recognition of contributions.
"Those who are bearing administrative burdens in connection with God's cause, can afford to be fair and true; they can afford to deal on right principles. When in a time of financial stress it is thought that wages must be reduced, let a circular be published setting forth the true situation, and then let those employed by the conference be asked whether, under the circumstances, they could do with less for their support. All the arrangements made with those in God's service should be regarded as a sacred transaction between man and his fellow-man. Men have no right to treat the workers as if they were inanimate objects, with no voice or expression of their own. GW 452.1"
"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn."
The EGW quote argues for fair treatment of workers, particularly in times of financial difficulty. This aligns with the principle in Deuteronomy 25:4, which prohibits muzzling an ox while it treads the grain, implying that workers should be allowed to benefit from their labor. The connection is thematic, focusing on the principle of fair treatment and compensation for labor.
"Injustice has sometimes been done to women who labor just as devotedly as their husbands, and who are recognized by God as being necessary to the work of the ministry. The method of paying men-laborers, and not paying their wives who share their labors with them, is a plan not according to the Lord's order, and if carried out in our conferences, is liable to discourage our sisters from qualifying themselves for the work they should engage in. God is a God of justice, and if the ministers receive a salary for their work, their wives, who devote themselves just as disinterestedly to the work, should be paid in addition to the wages their husbands receive, even though they may not ask for this. GW 452.3"
"And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."
The EGW quote directly argues that women who contribute to ministry should be compensated, echoing the principle in Luke 10:7 that a laborer is worthy of their hire. The connection is strong and directly related to the principle of fair compensation for work.