nly to do good works, but even miracles,
which God may praise and be pleased with, what need has he to look
elsewhere? Let him take heed to himself, and see to it that he run not
after gold, nor set his trust on money, but let the gold run after him,
and money wait on his favor, and let him love none of these things nor
set his heart on them; then he is the true, generous, wonderworking,
happy man, as Job xxxi says: "I have never yet: relied upon gold, and
never yet made gold my hope and confidence." And Psalm lxii: "If riches
increase, set not your heart upon them." So Christ also teaches,
Matthew vi, that we shall take no thought, what we shall eat and drink
and wherewithal we shall be clothed, since God cares for this, and
knows that we have need of all these things.

But some say: "Yes, rely upon that, take no thought, and see whether a
roasted chicken will fly into your mouth!" I do not say that a man
shall not labor and seek a living; but he shall not worry, not be
greedy, not despair, thinking that he will not have enough; for in Adam
we are all condemned to labor, when God says to him, Genesis iii, "In
the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." And Job v, "As the birds
to flying, so is man born unto labor." Now the birds fly without worry
and greed, and so we also should labor without worry and greed; but if
you do worry and are greedy, wishing that the roasted chicken fly into
your mouth: worry and be greedy, and see whether you will thereby
fulfil God's Commandment and be saved!

III. This work faith teaches of itself. For if the heart looks for
divine favor and relies upon it, how is it possible that a man should
be greedy and worry? He must be sure beyond a doubt that God cares for
him; therefore he does not cling to money; he uses it also with
cheerful liberality for the benefit of his neighbor, and knows well
that he will have enough, however much he may give away. For his God,
Whom he trusts, will not lie to him nor forsake him, as it is written,
Psalm xxxvii: "I have been young, and now am old; never have I seen a
believing man, who trusts God, that is a righteous man, forsaken, or
his child begging bread." Therefore the Apostle calls no other sin
idolatry except covetousness, because this sin shows most plainly that
it does not trust God for anything, expects more good from its money
than from God; and, as has been said, it is by such confidence that God
is truly honored or dishonored.

And, indeed