"Not for the wages we receive are we to labor. The motive that prompts us to work for God should have in it nothing akin to self-serving. Unselfish devotion and a spirit of sacrifice have always been and always will be the first requisite of acceptable service. Our Lord and Master designs that not one thread of selfishness shall be woven into His work. Into our efforts we are to bring the tact and skill, the exactitude and wisdom, that the God of perfection required of the builders of the earthly tabernacle; yet in all our labors we are to remember that the greatest talents or the most splendid services are acceptable only when self is laid upon the altar, a living, consuming sacrifice. PK 65.1"
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
The EGW passage emphasizes selfless service to God, aligning with the principle in 1 Corinthians 10:31 to do everything for God's glory, which inherently discourages self-serving motives.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Both passages contrast earthly and heavenly treasures, advocating for a focus on spiritual rewards over material gain. The EGW passage speaks of laying self on the altar, which is a form of not laying up treasures on earth.
"Another of the deviations from right principles that finally led to the downfall of Israel's king was his yielding to the temptation to take to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. PK 65.2"
"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."
The EGW passage directly addresses the sin of taking glory that belongs to God, which is the central theme of Isaiah 42:8.
"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
Both passages relate to giving glory to God. The EGW passage speaks of the downfall of Israel's king due to taking glory for himself, while Romans 11:36 ascribes all glory to God.