Is there anything in the bible on whether or not to have kids?

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crosswinds

Guest
#1
Does the bible mention anything on deciding whether to have kids or not, or how many kids we should have? I'm very curious.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#2
I've never heard of anything about it. Since that would be a decision for each individual situation i don't see there being any rule to it.
 
B

BarlyGurl

Guest
#3
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 769 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

77 verses about children being a blessing found here
What Does the Bible Say About Children Being A Blessing?

If God says children are a blessing why would anyone NOT want children... as it is rejecting God's blessing.
Further...

1 Cor 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body
Wouldn't that include your reproductive capabilities???
Command of God...


Gen. 1:28 Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground."

If God says be fruitful and multiply... why would anyone intentionally disobey this command???
 
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intercessorginger

Guest
#4
Well, the Old Testament tells us that children are a blessing from the Lord. Psalms 127...Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. It does not state "how many". The New Testament acknowledges that some may not want be married, in order to give themselves more fully to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:25-35 think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man remain as he is(unmarried)One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord
 
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kenisyes

Guest
#5
How many kids did Jesus have?
 
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Tintin

Guest
#6
The Bible says that you should have kids and 1.5 of them. But seriously...
Children are a blessing. Still, you should only have as many children as you and your husband/wife can provide for (physically, mentally, spiritually). Why do people expect the Bible to clearly define XYZ in our everyday lives? eg. "What does the Bible say about changing nappies/diapers? - Is it 2 or 3 times a day?" "What does the Bible say about showering?" It's just silly. God's Word doesn't concern itself with such things because they're not of great importance. The Bible is something to be studied and mulled over. God gave us brains, he wants us to use them and work together with the Holy Spirit to come to an understanding. Reason and revelation, not just one or the other.
 
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Kefa52

Guest
#7
It had to be 22 years ago. I was visiting my menonite converted to Christian friends. They lived what they called the simple life. A small community of about 300 people.
Most were Christian some older folks were still menonite. I was walking down a dirt road with brother Paul and his two sons, Caleb and Ezera. Ezera was 5 and Caleb was 4. I looked down at the boys and and asked how are you kids doing today. Caleb the 4 year old stopped in his tracks. He looked up at me as asertive as a 4 year old could look. With his hands on his hips and a stern look he said " I am not a goat, I am a children".
I thought it was cute but it got me to thinkin. Children are a "gift from God". It is disrespectful to call them kids.
Us bilies and nannies might learn something from a 4 year old.
 
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needmesomejesus

Guest
#8
I think whether to have or not have children is a personal decision. I highly doubt God is going to be upset if you don't want any children. No sense bring children into the world who are undesired just cause you think you have to.
 

Lucy68

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2011
2,538
22
0
#9
The Bible does call children a blessing but I don't think that means the opposite is true...that you won't be blessed if you DON'T have children.

What's important is that whoever decides to have children be ready to pour everything they have into raising them in a godly manner.
 
A

Andrewvast

Guest
#10
Well, I also not heard about it in bible. How many kids a family must have,basically its decision of only yours. So, in my views, i thought there is no description about it. Although, if you want a bible teaching church where a brief description of bible that you can read, i can give you christfellowship site where you have Churches in tamp fl. You can go there and take a look of that site.
 
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Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#11
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 769 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

77 verses about children being a blessing found here
What Does the Bible Say About Children Being A Blessing?

If God says children are a blessing why would anyone NOT want children... as it is rejecting God's blessing.
Further...

1 Cor 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body
Wouldn't that include your reproductive capabilities???
Command of God...


Gen. 1:28 Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground."

If God says be fruitful and multiply... why would anyone intentionally disobey this command???
Some couples arent ready for kids, and contraceptions are a responsible way not to bring a kid into a negative situation. Some couples want to spend some time alone together in their marriage before bringing children into it.
 
J

jimmydiggs

Guest
#12
How many kids did Jesus have?
Quite a few.

Ephesians 1:5
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
 
B

BarlyGurl

Guest
#13
Some couples arent ready for kids, and contraceptions are a responsible way not to bring a kid into a negative situation. Some couples want to spend some time alone together in their marriage before bringing children into it.
If you can find ANY scripture to support that GOD condones birth control... your opinion has a biblical basis, IF NOT, it has no scriptural validity. The OP asked about what the bible says... not what anyone's opinion was. My questions were more rhetorical as opposed to requesting anyone's reasons for disregarding what the scriptures say.
Any couple who chooses to restrictively PLAN their reproduction is doing it by their own efforts and should realize they have ZERO chance of outwitting GOD and may discover that when they WANT children... they can not conceive... which is supported by infertility statistics.
 
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jimmydiggs

Guest
#14
If you can find ANY scripture to support that GOD condones birth control... your opinion has a biblical basis, IF NOT, it has no scriptural validity.
Contraception as it is most used is in stark contradiction to Psalm 127:3, and demonstrates that those who use it for such purposes don't agree with God.
 
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RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#15
Children are seen by God as a blessing all the way thru the Bible... until the end. Matthew 24:19 'And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!' (KJV) I think it's a pretty clear warning to steer away from it in the very end.

I've never seen any penalty however for not having them. But I've seen a lot of people penalized, both young and old, because they did when they shouldn't.

Biblically life begins at conception, so any contraceptive that voids a zygote (ie the pill) would be considered..?
 
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Tintin

Guest
#16
...and to them that give suck in those days?

Whaat?

And this boys and girls is why the KJV isn't the only valid Bible available.
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#17
so barlygurl if a couple doesnt want kids is your answer just better hope you have luck on your side? because unwanted kids would be ok if it happened you know from being irresponsible and all
 

Lucy68

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2011
2,538
22
0
#18
Unfortunately, many contraceptives are 'abortifacients'. Like the pill inhibits a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. Since pro-lifers (like me) believe that life begins at conception, then this is abortion. There are methods for controlling when conception occurs that do not kill a fertilized egg. I wish I had known this in my early years of marriage. But I wasn't a Christian then and it would probably wouldn't have influenced me.

About having children or not....Paul talks about marriage (and I think he's including 'family') and encourages people to remain single, but those that have a lot of sexual desire to marry. I think there are lots of examples of strong Christians remaining unmarried in order to carry out the Lord's work more effectively. Marriage and children, if done 'right', does demand A LOT OF ENERGY AND TIME. If someone chooses to work for God without a traditional family, they can be a great influence...with many 'adopted' children. That's not to say that people with family cannot serve effectively...both happen to be true. What's best for one person is not always best for someone else. It's best to ask God for direction :).
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#19
...and to them that give suck in those days?

Whaat?

And this boys and girls is why the KJV isn't the only valid Bible available.
It references nursing a baby. I used the KJV to make certain people happy :).
 

shawntc

Senior Member
May 7, 2010
729
11
0
#20
Some people in the Bible had children, some didn't (examples: Jesus, John the Baptist, probably most of the apostles, Samuel, Samson, etc.) so I don't think there is a hard-and-fast rule about whether you should or should not have children, or how many. I think that's something that should be prayed about and also approached practically. For instance, I do not take great joy from being around children. Thus, I will probably not have many kids - two at most, but even that's a bit much. Of course God may end up giving me no kids, or 10. His will be done in these things, of course, but human activity does play a role.