"Because of his unusual skill, Huram demanded large wages. Gradually the wrong principles that he cherished came to be accepted by his associates. As they labored with him day after day, they yielded to the inclination to compare his wages with their own, and they began to lose sight of the holy character of their work. The spirit of self-denial left them, and in its place came the spirit of covetousness. The result was a demand for higher wages, which was granted. PK 64.1"
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Both passages deal with the dangers of covetousness and the love of money. The EGW passage illustrates how focusing on wages can lead to a loss of spiritual focus, while the Bible verse states that the love of money is the root of all evil.
"The baleful influences thus set in operation permeated all branches of the Lord's service, and extended throughout the kingdom. The high wages demanded and received gave to many an opportunity to indulge in luxury and extravagance. The poor were oppressed by the rich; the spirit of self-sacrifice was well-nigh lost. In the far-reaching effects of these influences may be traced one of the principal causes of the terrible apostasy of him who once was numbered among the wisest of mortals. PK 64.2"
"Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth."
Both passages address the oppression of the poor by the rich and the consequences of injustice. While James 5:4 is more direct about withheld wages, the EGW passage speaks of the broader societal impact of greed and luxury, which can lead to such oppression.
"The sharp contrast between the spirit and motives of the people building the wilderness tabernacle, and of those engaged in erecting Solomon's temple, has a lesson of deep significance. The self-seeking that characterized the workers on the temple finds its counterpart today in the selfishness that rules in the world. The spirit of covetousness, of seeking for the highest position and the highest wage, is rife. The willing service and joyous self-denial of the tabernacle workers is seldom met with. But this is the only spirit that should actuate the followers of Jesus. Our divine Master has given an example of how His disciples are to work. To those whom He bade, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” ( Matthew 4:19 ), He offered no stated sum as a reward for their services. They were to share with Him in self-denial and sacrifice. PK 64.3"
"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 4:19 in this passage.
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Both passages contrast selfishness with selfless service. Philippians 2:4 encourages considering others' needs, while the EGW passage contrasts the self-seeking of the temple workers with the self-denial of the tabernacle workers and Jesus' call to discipleship.