Luther rejects the request to buy Brisger's house in Wittenberg and suggests another buyer.
Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 213 and in Cod. Goth. 4 From the collection of Caspar Sagittarius at Jena in Schütze, vol. II, p. 328 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 575.
Grace and peace in Christ! What could I write, my dear Eberhard, about the sale of your house? since you knew that I am neither an appraiser nor a suitable buyer in such matters, and you have plenty of people who could advise you better in this matter than I, not to mention that you yourself are more insightful and experienced in such matters; except that I may not have responded to your offer to sell it to me. But I did not like to show my poverty, since it is impossible for me ever to collect half of such a large sum. In appearance I show splendid treasures, but I do not want that
you or even others would be in my position. Therefore you will not have me as a buyer, even if you wanted to sell two hundred times. However, I am persuading you with regard to Bruno, and if my requests are of any use to you, I would like you to sell it to him for four hundred and forty guilders, for I hear that it is so valued by your relatives. What do you want to do with this good brother of ours more harshly? since the Lord has just blessed you with this property, and you should not grant anyone anything cheaper, whatever you may have decided to sell. And the Lord is able to bestow upon thee a richer blessing, if thou believest that he was, is, and will be thy Creator, Sustainer, and Multiplier, even after the flesh, for the sake of a special thing, that is, why thou dost in vain dissipate thyself with the care of how the children shall be provided for. Christ, who began it, though he is weak, will accomplish it for those who persevere. I should indeed care for my own, since I am poorer in possessions than you, but I see that the care is in vain. Therefore I command him who has given everything enough until this day, that he will give, if I will be worthy of it in the future, or will take away those to whom he does not want to give. May the Lord strengthen you and teach you that nothing more than lack follows our care, and nothing less hinders it?) On the 4th Sunday of Advent [20 Dec.] 1534.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 2099.