Future Blessings
In a discussion about how things have changed in our culture with regard to the family, sexual identities, and maturity a young woman pointed out that many of her peers are putting off having children. She noted that it seems to be a lack of desire for the responsibility and thinking that somehow children were going to change life for the worse.
Sigh. This thinking is too prevalent in our culture and now it is seeping into the Church. It is ungodly thinking. “Be fruitful and multiply” was God’s command to us in Genesis 1:22. Christian families should be having children in obedience to this command! 1 John 5:3 tells us that His commands are not burdensome.
Why do so many fail to consider what it means for later generations if American Christians stop having children now or have so few that we do not multiply? (There doesn’t seem to be too much enthusiasm for evangelism, either.) What will happen to Christianity?
Interestingly, with New Year’s resolution advice upon us, we are being asked to look forward. In our shallow faith most of the “resolutions” are personal improvement from a physical standpoint. One recent article I read that was challenging us to think eternally said that we “have to set goals” and we have to “write them down.” The writer said with certainty that if we do not write down our goals we will not accomplish them.
Curious, I looked to see what the Bible says about goals. Here is what is written down for us: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). Paul was definitely pointing us to a future oriented way of thinking. We obey Christ here for the rewards now but also look forward to the rewards in eternity.
There are other places that the Lord encourages people to think about the future. Proverbs reminds us that ants prepare in summer and gather food in harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8) and we have the example of how Israel stored up grain for seven years keeping them from starving to death in a famine (Genesis 41:49-50). We are not to store up treasures here where they can be destroyed or stolen, but we are to store up treasures in heaven to enjoy later (Matthew 6:19-20).
I do not know where we went wrong on teaching the future oriented, generational thinking that would include obeying God’s Law in “multiplying and filling the earth,” and in “taking dominion” over all that He has created.
Young Christian couples seem more concerned about filling their bank accounts than they do about filling their quivers (Psalm 127:4-5). In fact, another mother of a large family who was in the discussion said that she is repeatedly scoffed at and approached about her large family.
She observed, “Can you imagine if I went up to someone in the grocery store and said, ‘Oh, you poor thing, you only have one child?’” The outrage would be quick, yet she and her children receive such comments about the size of their family regularly.
Are we willing, as God’s people, to think generationally about who will pass down the faith if we fail to have children and teach them in the fear and instruction of the Lord? Faith in God and His Word are critical for this future oriented thinking. He promises that children are a blessing (Psalm 127:4-5) and a reward (Psalm 127:3).
Why would we forfeit these blessings?
I have to say that I am not in agreement with all of the above. Just because a Christian family can have many children is NO guarantee that they all will become believers, (John 3:3,16, Romans 3:23,6:23). Also it is a God given responsibility to be able to care and provide for all of the children that you have. I have seen believers have more children then they can provide for, handle, educate, and spend time with and care and grow them as individuals. Is that godly? Is it right? Mom’s putting responsibilities on the older children because the Moms either don’t have time to raise their own children, or think it is teaching the older ones to be responsible. It is not the job of the older children to raise their siblings. It is the mother and fathers job. I have seen this many times over. Yes, we can use they old” God will provide”, sure he can, but perhaps we are testing him by doing what we think is right and not following his desire for our own family. Those who can have many children need to be careful of judging others who do not. Not every women who has a small family is ungodly, selfish or money hungry. God is using them is different ways. Perhaps training and teaching hundreds of children, perhaps leading one person to Christ or caring for 1 child, older folks or being sure a company is being a blessing to others, or on the mission field. There are many reasons for a small family. What about the women God has called to be single? However, I won’t address that issue at this point. And, oh yes, I know couples who are looked down on by those with large families because they only have 1 or 2 children. Excuse me…….that is what GOD gave them and they are happy with his blessing! Personally have been approached by women who have large families and looked down on because I have a small family. Not all women were designed to have a large family and personally I do not think that is what the scripture means by be fruitful and multiply….women are not animals(as the evolutionist would like us to think) they are beautiful, delicate creatures of a holy God. Stating that women with only one or two children are selfish and money hungry is unfair. There are many reasons that women don’t or perhaps can not have MANY children. Yes, a child is a blessing, but there are many Christian women who would love to have a child and can’t. It does not mean they are selfish or money hungry. In fact some of them have spent thousands of dollars adopting or visiting doctors. Perhaps part of the issue is jealously. Some of those who have many are over whelmed and guilty that they do not provide or have time to spend with each of their children. Some of those who don’t have are jealous because they would like to have more. Others are satisfied with the blessings that God has given weather it is 1 or 13(as my grandmother had).
Thanks for commenting. I fear I did not clearly make my point. My major concern is that the family is taking a serious cultural attack. Children are not seen as blessings – whether there are 2 or 10 in a family. They are not a priority. I am not saying that every family must have a large family. God does open and close the womb and He should be given final say in the matter. I would love to see mutual respect for the large and small family. While I agree that the primary responsibility to raise children belongs to the parents, there is certainly nothing wrong with teaching responsibility by getting older children to serve the family by helping with the younger ones. I have true regrets that I only had two children myself. I think they would have had to have been more responsible if they had not been my entire focus. In God’s grace and mercy, they are both productive adults.
It is hard for me to find any other definition for the word “multiply” as it is used in scripture except to see that the Lord does not just want to replace ourselves but to grow the numbers of people born into covenant families. Whether or not they are saved is up to Him but Mom and Dad have an obligation to obey God and diligently teach their children the Word of God.