To Eberhardt Brisger letter 2 - Martin Luther

TO EBERHARDT BRISGER

A house was offered to Luther for purchase. December 20, 1534.

What shall I write to you about the selling of your house, my Eberhardt?

For you know that in such transactions I am a very novice, and you have many around you who can advise you much better than I, not to speak of yourself, who know so much of such matters. I can only say that I shall not as yet reply to your offer, although I do not wish to boast of my poverty, but

cannot refrain from saying that it would be impossible for me to bring together even the half of that sum. I make a great appearance with the treasures entrusted to me, but I should not like you or anyone else to be in my place (Haut ). Therefore you will not find a purchaser in me, even if you offered it a hundred times. But I would suggest Bruno to you, and if my opinion has any weight, I would like you to sell it to him for four hundred and forty gulden, which I hear is the valuation.

Why should you wish to drive such a hard bargain with your good brother, seeing the Lord has blessed you with this bit of property, a fact you should remember in all your dealings? The Lord can requite

you if you believe He was and is your Creator according to the flesh. Why worry needlessly about your children’s future? Christ, who has ever cared for us, will provide abundantly for those who trust Him. Doubtless I have many cares for those belonging to me, as I have much less than you, but I am aware that my cares are fruitless. Therefore I commit them to Him who has hitherto supplied my wants so abundantly, and will continue so to do if I be worthy of it, or take those away for whom I worry so needlessly, if He do not see fit to provide for them. May the Lord teach you that all our anxiety will neither increase nor lessen the necessities of life!

MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)