This is an issue my wife and I wrestle with. So, I thought I would toss a few thoughts out.
A lot of what drives an answer to this goes to cultural values that we have come to accept over the years. God wants us to reflect his love to the world around us. One of the most profound ways to do that is through our families. Increasingly, the West as a whole has bought into the idea of a way of life that abdicates Christian family values. By having large families we teach our children how to be parents without being as isolated into nuclear families. Many people in the West think it is better to let the State raise our kids in many cases rather than build the faith based networks that support the family. Between day care and elementary school our kids spend more time away from family than with it.
The poplulation issue is largely exaggerated. Russia, Japan, most of Europe have declining populations. The parts of North America and Europe that have stable populations do so largely as a result of immegration. India is growing. The Muslim world is growing. Africa is holding steady largely because of war and disease. China is growing but not for much longer since more girls are aborted than men and there is not a replacement population. South America is growing slightly. That means the only significant growth is taking place in non-Christian families in places in need of Gods love.
Historically, how many great people of faith came from large families?
I debate the merit of birth control (we use it) and wrestle with how much is too much and whether God wants us to have more. But having said that, with five kids already, my money still goes to a lot that is not a need. I am debt free, go to movies, have hobbies etc. The issue is not the money and whether I can provide food, shelter, education and such. It is more along the lines of how can my wife maintain emotional health.
