There are five principles of economy of life which we can put into practices. These are:
(a). Eat less.
(b). Sleep less.
(c). Speak less.
(d). Frequent people less and
(e). Spend less.
“Less” does not mean complete abnegation,which is sometimes impossible(such as in eating and sleeping) and always undesirable,there must be a moderation.
EAT LESS:
One should eat to live,and not live to eat.To eat for the purpose of obtaining the energy to accomplish the will and the commandment of God, is an act of devotion: and to diminish the nourishment and get weakened to the extent of diminishing the spiritual productivity is a sin.
SLEEP LESS:
Sleep is necessary for health,and is a duty imposed on man; but laziness,which makes us remain in bed for long, affects our spiritual progress.Sleeping less does not mean passing time in material needs,but finding more time for the practices of devotion and piety.
SPEAK LESS:
Speaking less means diminution of petty talks,and avoidance,if possible,of frivolity.It is often our habit to give undue attention to others, but forget to practise it for our personal benefits.
FREQUENT LESS:
To frequent people less, means to desist from unnecessary talk and wasting our precious time on needless contacts.To do a good turn to people and to be occupied with things which could procure the pleasure of the Lord are rather desirable ‘frequentations’. However, it should not be forgotten that the needs of the individuals differ according to their stage of evolution; one does not give the same advice to an expert master as to a young novice. Mundane ‘frequentations’ often occasion temptations,waste of useful time,and the forgetting of our more important obligations.
SPEND LESS:
And the fifth counsel: spends less.This means spending less on luxury,on flirtation,on personal pleasure; the amount thus saved could be used for purpose dear to us but for which we have no money – in our spend-thrift habits – to contribute our mite.
These five counsels may constitute five principles of economy of life, both spiritual and material.
By Segun Fadipe
