Children are a blessing from the Lord

By Ricardo Barber

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:1-5
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 128:1-6

If it is one thing that needs to be revisited and emphasized in evangelicalism: its child-bearing. Why do some Christians view children as a burden rather than a blessing? Children are looked on as problems to be avoided rather than as gifts to be received, loved, and nurtured. Some even view them as pets to be tamed and when annoyed they sweep them away as pests. That's a sordid commentary, but I believe it is true.

As I read the Psalms mentioned above I can't help but be overwhelmed with joy from the inspired words the Psalmist wrote. Just to set the record straight, I believe Scripture when taken up holistically teaches a faith in the providence of God approach toward family. And only a Christian family can operate in that matter because in Psalm 128 blessings are bestowed on the one who walks in obedience and reverence before God. In other words we as believers cannot put a cap on the number of kids we have because the sovereignty and providence of God decides when enough is enough.

We see in Genesis twice God told the human race to procreate, once to Adam and Eve and then to Noah and his family after the flood. Procreation is a gift to married couples. One can't help but notice the large families in the Old Testament. It was God who closed the womb and often in the Old Testament women were sadden deeply by the lack of ability to have child. And then we reach the Psalms were children are defined as treasures, gifts and rewards. The psalmist also says that we should see kids as a lasting heritage and the source of our happiness. Ironically in today's evangelical world it's the complete opposite, happiness and success comes if we hold off having kids until we are well established. But God says prosperity is from the fruit of the womb. A great many miss out on their reward because their quiver is empty or limited. In Psalm 128:3 the writer says to the God fearing man that their "children will be like olive plants all around the table," there should be plenty (kids) and there is always room for one more. There will be enough food for growing bellies. The problem is that many do not trust God or give him the opportunity to show his boundless love and faithfulness. We decide to play God and forget that it is God who gives us power to get wealth and also that children are a reward and true prosperity with the Lord comes from a family that can leave a legacy.

I believe it is a lack of faith when we do not trust in the wisdom of God to know when to close the womb. Procreation is a mandate for believing couples because in the New Testament Paul does not say if you have children in the passages about the Christian home. He simply assumes that married couples would have kids. Even in 1 Timothy when he lists the qualifications of a pastor he assumes the leader will have children. "One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)" Unless God in his providential reasoning decides that a certain couple can't have kids then married believers are obligated to procreate. The Creator’s gift of procreation should not be taken for granted. There are countless couples who can't produce a child but want to, while the couples who can produce a child, don't.

Today large families are frequently looked upon as an economic strain rather than being viewed is an advantage. Building a family legacy is all in the wisdom books and the Psalmist said that the godly man will see his children's children. No heritage can be established if conception is being avoided. I do not think it is the will of God when someone is able to conceive, but decides to hold it off because we cannot afford to care for them appropriately. Once again the Psalmist says our treasure comes from children. Children are a gift from the Lord and should not be seen as troubles to be shunned, but always as gifts to be appreciated and received. Why in the world are we rejecting the gift? Because we believe material possessions are the better gifts. Christianity is spread and kept alive through people not through possessions or property. Legacy is far greater than land. I pray that God heals our unbelief. We cry out about abortion, what about the many unborn kids and eggs that go untouched each day by Christians who have pious cover ups for their selfishness and faithlessness? Someone put it best, "Children are a poor man riches." Pity on him who thinks otherwise.