"life, but which the people had failed to comprehend. They could not understand how, having such great power, He neglected to use it in securing what they regarded as the chief good. Their spirit and motives and methods were the opposite of His. While they claimed to be very jealous for the honor of the law, self-glory was the real object which they sought; and Christ would make it manifest to them that the lover of self is a transgressor of the law. MB 79.1"
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
Both passages address the issue of performing religious acts for outward show and recognition rather than genuine piety. The EGW passage expands on the motivations behind such actions, aligning with the principle in Matthew 6:1.
"But the principles cherished by the Pharisees are such as are characteristic of humanity in all ages. The spirit of Pharisaism is the spirit of human nature; and as the Saviour showed the contrast between His own spirit and methods and those of the rabbis, His teaching is equally applicable to the people of all time. MB 79.2"
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The EGW passage discusses the spirit of Pharisaism as being characteristic of human nature, while Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh, which are also characteristic of fallen human nature. Both passages address the inherent sinfulness of humanity.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Both passages speak to the universal nature of sin and flawed human nature. The EGW passage connects the specific failings of the Pharisees to a broader human tendency, which aligns with the general statement of Romans 3:23.
"In the days of Christ the Pharisees were continually trying to earn the favor of Heaven in order to secure the worldly honor and prosperity which they regarded as the reward of virtue. At the same time they paraded their acts of charity before the people in order to attract their attention and gain a reputation for sanctity. MB 79.3"
"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
The EGW passage directly describes the actions of the Pharisees as being motivated by a desire for worldly honor and recognition, mirroring the scenario depicted in Matthew 6:2 where hypocrites perform alms to be seen by others.