"The Responsibility of the Church The liquor interest is a power in the world. It has on its side the combined strength of money, habit, appetite. Its power is felt even in the church. Men whose money has been made, directly or indirectly, in the liquor traffic, are members of churches, “in good and regular standing.” Many of them give liberally to popular charities. Their contributions help to support the enterprises of the church and to sustain its ministers. They command the consideration shown to the money power. Churches that accept such members are virtually sustaining the liquor traffic. Too often the minister has not the courage to stand for the right. He does not declare to his people what God has said concerning the work of the liquor seller. To speak plainly would mean the offending of his congregation, the sacrifice of his popularity, the loss of his salary. MH 340"
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
The passage discusses the influence of money and the liquor industry within the church, suggesting a conflict of interest and divided loyalty, echoing the principle that one cannot serve both God and mammon.
"But above the tribunal of the church is the tribunal of God. He who declared to the first murderer, “The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground” ( Genesis 4:10 ), will not accept for His altar the gifts of the liquor dealer. His anger is kindled against those who attempt to cover their guilt with a cloak of liberality. Their money is stained with blood. A curse is upon it. MH 340.2"
"And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground."
EGW directly quotes Genesis 4:10, "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground," and applies it to the liquor dealer, drawing a parallel between the sin of murder and the harm caused by the liquor trade.