Holy Money

At the Armenian Mekhitarist Monastery in Vienna, the fathers keep a special collection of old Armenian coins. Among them are five small medieval coins. On each coin are two simple Armenian letters: “ՍԲ”, which stand for “Holy.” The coins were known as “holy money.”

These were not ordinary coins used for buying and selling anything. They were given to the poor. And they could be used only for food. Centuries ago, the Armenian Church had already found a way to protect the dignity of the hungry. It was a kind of food stamp, long before modern systems existed. The Church made sure that when someone was in need, they would not be forgotten.

Caring for the poor is woven into the very heart of our faith. The Scripture says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17). When you help someone in need, you are lending to God Himself. And God is never in anyone’s debt. Heaven keeps perfect records. God knows. God sees. God rewards.

The idea of “holy money” challenges us to rethink how we use what we have. Money itself is not holy or unholy. It becomes holy when it is directed toward love, mercy, and compassion. A simple coin placed in the right hand, at the right time, with the right intention, can become an offering to God.

In our world today, the need is great. Hunger still exists in our cities and neighborhoods. There are families who worry about paying rent or buying groceries. There are elderly people who live alone, quietly struggling with loneliness. There are young people burdened by anxiety, unsure of their future.

Faced with so much need around us, we are invited to ask ourselves: What resources has God placed in my hands? It may be money. It may be time. It may be professional skills. It may be the ability to listen patiently. Whatever it is, it can become “holy” when it is offered for the good of another.

And when you live with an open hand, God responds to you with an open hand. When you choose to be a blessing to others, blessings find their way back to you—not only in material ways, but in joy, peace, and a deeper sense of purpose.