After the multitude had been fed, there was an abundance of food left. Jesus bade His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” John 6:12 . These words meant more than putting the food into baskets. The lesson was twofold. Nothing is to be wasted. We are to let slip no temporal advantage. We should neglect nothing that would serve to benefit a human being. Let everything be gathered up that will relieve the necessities of earth's hungry ones. With the same carefulness are we to treasure the bread from heaven to satisfy the needs of the soul. By every word of God we are to live. Nothing that God has spoken is to be lost. Not one word that concerns our eternal salvation are we to neglect. Not one word is to fall useless to the ground. MH 48.1 The miracle of the loaves teaches dependence upon God. When Christ fed the five thousand, the food was not nigh at hand. Apparently He had no means at His command. There He was, with five thousand men, besides women and…
"And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."
EGW directly quotes John 6:12, which refers back to the event described in Matthew 14:20. She then expands on the meaning of the verse, making the connection explicit.
"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
Ellen White directly references John 6:12 in this passage.
"The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was, and He depended on His heavenly Father for means to relieve the necessity. When we are brought into strait places, we are to depend on God. In every emergency we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. MH 48.3"
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle found in Philippians 4:19, which assures believers that God will provide for their needs. The connection is strong and relevant to the discussion of dependence on God in times of need.