Adding Is Subtracting

A friend told me, “It’s okay to drive up to 7 miles per hour over the speed limit.  I have several police officer friends who have said they only give tickets when you exceed the limit by 8 miles per hour or more.”

I asked my friend, “So… if I speed like you are suggesting and get a ticket, will you pay for it?”

He would not agree to that. 

I was reminded of this conversation as I read Deuteronomy 4:2.  God says, “Don’t add to my words.”

Sometimes we add to workplace laws. 

The rules state that we can have a 15 minute break.  We think, “There’s nothing wrong with making it 20.”

Is this not adding to the rules?

The rules state that we are to be doing work while on the clock.  We watch a few funny “Youtube” videos or order sweaters online while ‘working’ and believe this is totally acceptable.

Is this not adding to the rules?

I wonder how often and in how many areas of life we “add” to the laws?

Then we wonder why we don’t get the promotion, raise, respect, and position we desire.

This kind of addition really turns out to cause subtraction in our lives.