"In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families. We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; and whenever duty calls us, God will enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we watch and pray, trusting in the grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character. When we voluntarily place ourselves in an atmosphere of worldliness and unbelief, we displease God and drive holy angels from our homes. PP 169.1"
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage directly warns against unfavorable influences on Christian character, mirroring the warning in 1 Corinthians 15:33 about evil communications corrupting good manners. The principle of avoiding corrupting influences is central to both.
"Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls. Their lifework is lost; their life is a sad failure. Had they exercised true wisdom, their children might have had less of worldly prosperity, but they would have made sure of a title to the immortal inheritance. PP 169.2"
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Both passages highlight the danger of prioritizing worldly gain over spiritual well-being. The Matthew verse is a general statement of this principle, while the EGW passage uses Lot's example to illustrate the consequences of such a choice, creating a strong thematic parallel.
"The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world. Abraham had no possession in the earth, “no, not so much as to set his foot on.” Acts 7:5 . He possessed great substance, and he used it to the glory of God and the good of his fellow men; but he did not look upon this world as his home. The Lord had called him to leave his idolatrous countrymen, with the promise of the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession; yet neither he nor his son nor his son's son received it. When Abraham desired a burial place for his dead, he had to buy it of the Canaanites. His sole possession in the Land of Promise was that rock-hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah. PP 169.3"
"And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."
Ellen White directly references Acts 7:5 in this passage.
"shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Daniel 7:27 ; Psalm 37:11 . PP 169.4"
"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."
Ellen White directly references Daniel 7:27 in this passage.
"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 37:11 in this passage.