Life Supreme — Page 13
16. LIFE SUPREME (3) Cut down on home decorations. (4) Cut down on clothing expenses. (5) Cut down on jewelry. (6) Not to buy things one really does not need. . Our present Khalifa has also called upon members of the Community to live frugal lives and cut down lavish expenditure on clothes and ornaments. He said in one of his addresses: "I want to knock at the door of every Ahmadi and start a crusade against evil customs. I want to tell them that whosoever will not give up wasteful customs and not reform himself, then he should know that he is of no use to God, His Messenger and to our Community, and that consequently he would be thrown out of it as a fly is thrown out of milk. . The Promised Messiah has also emphasised the value of simple living. He has said: "Do not be extravagant. >> " "O you who love the pomp and pleasures of this world bear well in mind this is not the place of permanent abode for man. " "Luxurious living and the enjoyment of the good things of material life hold no permanent guarantee. "For the sake of the Lord, abandon the path of luxurious and easy living It is, indeed, an accursed path. Have nothing to do with this curser Otherwise forget all abut your hopes of seeing the Lord. ". Another advantage of simple living is that it brings one close to the poor and common people. Those who like to maintain a high standard of living often look down upon the poor and are not inclined to mingle with them. While they are happy and at ease to visit and stay with their well-to-do friends they would not care to visit, let alone stay with, their poorer brothers in faith. . The development of moral virtues is a practical philosophy and not one just to be listened to or even just to be remembred. It is one to be practised. Certainly it is a very comprehensive subject on which volumes could be written. I have covered briefly just a few aspects of this vast subject. My aim has been to awaken interest and increase the urge within us to pay greater attention to the development of moral virtues. My prayer is that the seeds which I have scattered may fall on good soil to grow and bear virtuous fruit-Amen.