"Sowing Beside All Waters There has been a slothful neglect and a criminal unbelief among us as a people, which has kept us back from doing the work God has left us to do in letting our light shine forth to those of other nations. There is a fearfulness to venture out and to run risks in this great work, fearing that the expenditure of means would not bring returns. What if means are used and yet we cannot see that souls have been saved by it? What if there is a dead loss of a portion of our means? Better work and keep at work than to do nothing. You know not which shall prosper, this or that. LS 213"
"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."
EGW directly quotes and applies the principle of Ecclesiastes 11:6, "You know not which shall prosper, this or that," to the context of missionary work and financial investment. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Both passages encourage perseverance in doing good, even when the results are not immediately apparent. EGW's encouragement to "work and keep at work" aligns with the principle of not growing weary in well-doing in Galatians 6:9.
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
Both passages relate to the principle of sowing and reaping. EGW discusses the fear of expending means without seeing immediate returns, while 2 Corinthians 9:6 speaks of sowing sparingly or bountifully and reaping accordingly. The underlying theme of investment and return is present in both.
"God will have men who will venture anything and everything to save souls. Those who will not move until they can see every step of the way clearly before them, will not be of advantage at this time to forward the truth of God. There must be workers now who will push ahead in the dark as well as in the light, and who will hold up bravely under discouragements and disappointed hopes, and yet work on with faith, with tears and patient hope, sowing beside all waters, trusting the Lord to bring the increase. God calls for men of nerve, of hope, faith, and endurance, to work to the point. LS 213.2"
"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment and imagery of Ecclesiastes 11:6 regarding sowing seed in both favorable and unfavorable conditions, emphasizing persistent effort in spreading the gospel even when the outcome is uncertain. The phrase "sowing beside all waters" is a clear allusion.