based on a story by St John Moschus ?550–619

The Investor of Nisibis

A woman advises her husband to entrust their modest savings to the bank of God.

619

Roman Empire (Byzantine Era) 330 - 1453

Introduction

This story was told to John Moschus (?550–619) by Maria, a Christian lady on the Greek island of Samos who was devoted to the care of the poor. The events occurred in Nisibis in Syria, an ancient Christian centre now just inside Turkey, whose early fourth-century church is ruined but still partially standing.

based on a story by St John Moschus ?550–619

IN the latter years of the sixth century there lived in Nisibis a Christian woman and her heathen husband.* They were not rich, so one day the husband suggested sinking their life savings, some fifty silver pieces, into an investment scheme, and living off the interest. “I have a better plan” said his wife. “Invest the money with the God of the Christians.” And she showed him how by taking their savings to the church, and distributing them among the beggars who congregated about the doors. ‘They all work for him,’ she explained.

Three months later, funds were running very low, so the man returned to the church to see if any interest had accrued on his investment. At first, he saw only more beggars, as poor and pitiable as ever. Then his eye lighted on a silver coin, like those he had handed out before. Delighted with his first dividend from the God of the Christians, he bought bread, wine and a nice fish.

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Nisibis today is Nusaybin in Turkey, just inside the border with Syria. John Moschus wrote his travelogue of tales following a trip across the Roman Empire which began in the spring of 587. Maria, who told him this story, indicated that the couple were still alive and living in Nisibis when she was there, so the events must have been fairly recent.

The Latin here is nomisma, or ‘current coin’. The chief coin of the age was the silver miliarision introduced under the Emperor Constantine, a thousandth of a gold pound.

Précis

A Christian woman from sixth century Nisibis in Asia Minor persuaded her heathen husband to invest their life savings by handing fifty silver pieces out to the beggars at the church door. After three months, the man went to see if any interest had accrued, and found a single silver piece, with which he bought a fish.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why did one man from Nisibis give his savings to beggars?

Suggestion

He did it on his wife’s recommendation.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

A man collected his life savings. He meant to play the market. His wife did not approve.

Clay Lane The Copybook