"Those who are humble, and who do their work as unto God, may not make so great a show as do those who are full of bustle and self-importance; but their work counts for more. Often those who make a great parade call attention to self, interposing between the people and God, and their work proves a failure. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.” Proverbs 4:7, 8 . MH 477.1"
"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
The EGW passage directly quotes Proverbs 4:7, 8 and uses it to support the idea that humility and doing work as unto God are more valuable than self-promotion.
"If any are qualified for a higher position, the Lord will lay the burden, not alone on them, but on those who have tested them, who know their worth, and who can understandingly urge them forward. It is those who perform faithfully their appointed work day by day, who in God's own time will hear His call, “Come up higher.” MH 477.3"
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
Both passages emphasize faithfulness in small tasks as a prerequisite for greater responsibility. Luke 16:10 highlights the importance of being faithful in little things to be faithful in much, while the EGW passage suggests that those who faithfully perform their appointed work will be called to higher positions.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Both passages connect faithfulness with promotion or reward. Matthew 25:21 describes the master rewarding the faithful servant with greater responsibility, mirroring the EGW passage's idea that those who are faithful will be called to "come up higher."
"While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, angels from heaven visited them. So today while the humble worker for God is following his employment, angels of God stand by his side, listening to his words, noting the manner in which his work is done, to see if larger responsibilities may be entrusted to his hands. MH 477.4"
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."
The EGW passage directly references the shepherds watching their flocks in Bethlehem and the appearance of angels, clearly alluding to the Luke 2:8 narrative.
"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:"
The EGW passage directly echoes the themes of faith and love/charity from a pure heart, as found in 1 Timothy 1:5. The connection is more than just thematic; it's a restatement of the biblical principle.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Both passages emphasize faith and charity (love). While not a direct quote, the thematic overlap is clear and significant.