A rich landowner had 35 valuable horses and when he died he left the following instructions regarding the dividing up of his horses among his three sons. The oldest was to get one half of the horses, the second was to get one third and the youngest was to get one ninth. The three brothers had a problem as one half of the horses did not come out to a whole number, neither did one third or one ninth. How could they divide the horses?
Since they did not see a solution to their problem they went to an old friend of the family for help. He said that he would help them and when they asked what they need to pay him for his help he told them that he would be adequately repaid.
The next day he showed up with one of his prize horses which he added to the 35 to make 36 horses. He then told the oldest to take his half which was 18 horse, the second son to take his third which was 12 horses and the youngest to take his ninth which was 4 horses. The total of the horses that the brothers received was 34. The friend went home with his horse and one more for his help. The question is, can you explain what happened?
Unlike the above problem Moses tells us that we are not to add to or subtract from the commands that Moses was giving them. People today want to add to the work of Christ. Salvation they say is by grace and keeping the commandments but that is taking the work of Christ and saying it is not sufficient. Salvation is by grace alone and we cannot and we must not add to that. Nor must we subtract from the work of Christ. We cannot say that we don't have to believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. That is subtracting. Christ's work on Calvary is complete and sufficient, nothing else is needed.
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