Children

[iasusxrist]

Debate:
Are we commanded to have children, if possible?
The whole, God opens and closes the womb, be fruitful and multiply, children are an hertiage from God etc.

I'd like to hear all comments from both sides of the argument, please!

 

[Scarlett O.]

I don't really think there's anything to debate over.

God said to the early people to be fruitful and multiply. I think we are still to do that. But that doesn't mean that every couple is to have 20 children each. The Bible says that children are a blessing and that happy is the man who has a quiverful.

A quiver isn't very big and doesn't hold a LOT of arrows.

Some couples have no children. Some have 9. Some have 1 or 2.

God will direct them. That is between the couple and God.

 

[Revmitchell]

We are never to exchange their lives for any number of government programs.

 

[Winman]

I have 8 children. I don't know how many times people have said things like, "Are you crazy? How are you going to feed and take care of so many children?". And I have heard this from many Christians, not just the unsaved.

But we believed there is an implied promise in this command to be fruitful and multiply. We believe God is promising to provide. And none of our children ever went hungry, or lacked clothing or any other necessity. Some even attended and graduated college. So God took care of us. I didn't have the best paying job, but God showed grace and I always seemed to get more overtime than my fellow employees. I often got promotions.

We may not have been able to afford luxuries, but we enjoy a very simple homelife. You know, I loved watching my children when they were little (all grown now), it was more entertaining than any movie. And it was free. :thumbs:

And you learn a lot in a big family. Everybody has to share. You can't be selfish and think of yourselves. Everybody has to pitch in and help fold the laundry, wash dishes, babysit and so on. So it is very good for the children. All my children were exceptionally good, none has ever been in the least bit trouble, or had problems with drinking, smoking, or drugs, or any other problems. Once my oldest son lit off a smokebomb in a store with some school-friends. We made him go personally apologize to the store manager. This is the one and only incident of trouble we ever had with any of our kids. So we are blessed.

So, I do not criticize those who have just one or two kids, although I would not say an apple tree with just two apples was "full" of fruit. But I do wish people would not make all the rude remarks they do, I have been ridiculed literally hundreds of times over the years simply because we had a large family.

 

[rdwhite]

I have 8 children. I don't know how many times people have said things like, "Are you crazy? How are you going to feed and take care of so many children?". And I have heard this from many Christians, not just the unsaved...

We have 6 children and I know exactly what you are talking about. My wife giggles every time someone does the mouth drop when she replies "Yes, they are all mine." My favorite stupid remark is when they ask, "Do you know what causes that?", to which I reply, "Oh ya, I know what causes it, I just ain't figured out how to stop it! "

 

[Aaron]

I have 8 children. I don't know how many times people have said things like, "Are you crazy? How are you going to feed and take care of so many children?". And I have heard this from many Christians, not just the unsaved.

But we believed there is an implied promise in this command to be fruitful and multiply. We believe God is promising to provide. And none of our children ever went hungry, or lacked clothing or any other necessity. Some even attended and graduated college. So God took care of us. I didn't have the best paying job, but God showed grace and I always seemed to get more overtime than my fellow employees. I often got promotions.

We may not have been able to afford luxuries, but we enjoy a very simple homelife. You know, I loved watching my children when they were little (all grown now), it was more entertaining than any movie. And it was free. :thumbs:

And you learn a lot in a big family. Everybody has to share. You can't be selfish and think of yourselves. Everybody has to pitch in and help fold the laundry, wash dishes, babysit and so on. So it is very good for the children. All my children were exceptionally good, none has ever been in the least bit trouble, or had problems with drinking, smoking, or drugs, or any other problems. Once my oldest son lit off a smokebomb in a store with some school-friends. We made him go personally apologize to the store manager. This is the one and only incident of trouble we ever had with any of our kids. So we are blessed.

So, I do not criticize those who have just one or two kids, although I would not say an apple tree with just two apples was "full" of fruit. But I do wish people would not make all the rude remarks they do, I have been ridiculed literally hundreds of times over the years simply because we had a large family.

:applause::thumbs:

Beautiful.

 

[Winman]

We have 6 children and I know exactly what you are talking about. My wife giggles every time someone does the mouth drop when she replies "Yes, they are all mine." My favorite stupid remark is when they ask, "Do you know what causes that?", to which I reply, "Oh ya, I know what causes it, I just ain't figured out how to stop it! "

I always say, "No, I do not understand what causes it, but if I ever find out I'm gonna stop!' :laugh:

Here is a video of my youngest daughter when she was 8. She is now 11 and plays MUCH better. She's into Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven.... it is beautiful music. She often plays in church on Sunday now, and several convelescent homes in our area actually pay her to come play for the residents. So, she has been a professional musician since she was 10 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjpsWbOmqdA

 

[Marcia]

I think it is very rude to ask any of the following:
1. Why do you have so many children?
2. Why don't you have any children?
3. When are you going to have children?
4. Are all those children yours?
5. Are you going to have more children?

I'm astounded people ask these questions or comment on the number of children someone has or the lack of children. It's none of their business. I never do this - and I mean never. I was brought up not to ask rude or prying questions.

I do think there is a difference between children being a heritage from the Lord and being a gift from the Lord.

 

[rdwhite]

... I was brought up not to ask rude or prying questions.

Well things just aren't like they used to be. I substituted in the public schools for a couple of years, and I am very burdened about the future of our society. There is no respect of authority, no sense of honor or duty, no respect for others. Those kids were the most self-centered, un-caring, smart-mouth people I've ever dealt with. Needless to say, I don't substitute teach any more.

I do think there is a difference between children being a heritage from the Lord and being a gift from the Lord.

Please expound, maybe in a different post, so as not to hi-jack this one.

 

[iasusxrist]

Quote:I do think there is a difference between children being a heritage from the Lord and being a gift from the Lord.

Please expound, maybe in a different post, so as not to hi-jack this one.
__________________

Post here!

 

[ReformedBaptist]

We have six children and get the same replies, quips, et.

I usually say, well, which ones would you have aborted?

 

[iasusxrist]

I've found something.
Woe unto them that are with child, and unto them that give suck in those days Lk 21

I've heard that it is "because" children are a blessing, that it says woe unto them. I find this weak at best. Certainly not all children are a blessing, are they? Is it not the Godly children only, who do not torment their mothers and fathers by their disobedience and wayward living? And unless I miss-understood, these women are probably not saved, thus neither the children.

And, 1Co 7:25, 36.
In light of the present distress, Paul was suggesting that a person not marry and not have children. On the one hand, they could have married any way and not had children - this would prove exactly the opposite of my argument. But I would point out, that in as far as I am aware - there were no effective means of birth control. It would imply that the man was waiting until after the distress, and some of those women were getting to the point where they would no longer be able to have children. Thus, "if" he was behaving uncomely towards her by doing this - he ought to marry and have children while she is still able. Except that she wanted children and was waiting for him to give them, it would not marry if he waited until after that point.

After writing out my argument on 1Co 7, it seems rather weak. What are your thoughts, friends?

 

[preachinjesus]

Debate:

okay:thumbs:

Are we commanded to have children, if possible?
The whole, God opens and closes the womb, be fruitful and multiply, children are an hertiage from God etc.

I get this kind of question a lot when doing premarital marriage counseling.

I reply that while children are not a requirement of marriage they are a blessing for marriage. Each couple should do as they feel led after prayer and consideration. In my opinion there isn't a biblical obligation for children, or for the number. :saint:

 

[iasusxrist]

Preaching, this is my issue:
If children are a blessing, from God: How dare we say, we don't want it? Is it ever right to turn down His blessing?

If it is, please explain!

 

[christianasbookshelf]

I don't really think there's anything to debate over.

God said to the early people to be fruitful and multiply. I think we are still to do that. But that doesn't mean that every couple is to have 20 children each. The Bible says that children are a blessing and that happy is the man who has a quiverful.

A quiver isn't very big and doesn't hold a LOT of arrows.

Some couples have no children. Some have 9. Some have 1 or 2.

God will direct them. That is between the couple and God.

I believe a "full quiver" is whatever God gives a couple. I've counseled people in this fashion who have been discouraged about no having many children as compared to others. It's all in God's hands. I have eight, so my quiver is full (or getting there!) for sure.

 

[iasusxrist]

In response to my own post:
The fact that we can remain single, seems to imply a blessing is not a requirement.

As well, can we not say that the crowns are blessings?
Am I in sin if I do not seek the office of bishop, to recieve that crown?

I think not.

Thoughts, friends??

 

[annsni]

I've found something.
Woe unto them that are with child, and unto them that give suck in those days Lk 21

I've heard that it is "because" children are a blessing, that it says woe unto them. I find this weak at best. Certainly not all children are a blessing, are they? Is it not the Godly children only, who do not torment their mothers and fathers by their disobedience and wayward living? And unless I miss-understood, these women are probably not saved, thus neither the children.

You must read the rest of the verse to understand why "woe" is there - "But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people." My son was just 11 months old on 9-11 and it was so hard thinking about "what if?" knowing that he was so little. My girls were 9 and 11, so they were big enough to understand/assist/process things a little better but if there had been a major catastrophe, my son would not be able to help himself at all. He'd be fully dependent on me which would mean that I would have a very great responsibility to not only take care of myself but him. If we couldn't get food, he would suffer. If we couldn't get water, he would suffer. Cold, exposure, etc. - he would suffer first. That verse really hit home to me at that time.

And, 1Co 7:25, 36.
In light of the present distress, Paul was suggesting that a person not marry and not have children. On the one hand, they could have married any way and not had children - this would prove exactly the opposite of my argument. But I would point out, that in as far as I am aware - there were no effective means of birth control. It would imply that the man was waiting until after the distress, and some of those women were getting to the point where they would no longer be able to have children. Thus, "if" he was behaving uncomely towards her by doing this - he ought to marry and have children while she is still able. Except that she wanted children and was waiting for him to give them, it would not marry if he waited until after that point.

After writing out my argument on 1Co 7, it seems rather weak. What are your thoughts, friends?

The passage again is speaking of difficulties and the divided loyalties a marriage will bring. If my husband were alone, he could more easily stand up to persecution, hostility and possible death but knowing that he's the head of a family, he will find things much more difficult because he's not just affecting his own life but the lives of others. THAT is what Paul is speaking about.

 

[Johnv]

Are we commanded to have children, if possible?

We as individuals are encouraged to have children, but it is not a scriptural command. But it is not a requirement for obedience or righteousness.

 

[rbell]

Some couples have no children. Some have 9. Some have 1 or 2.

God will direct them. That is between the couple and God.

Agreed! A priesthood of the believer issue.

I think it is very rude to ask any of the following:
1. Why do you have so many children?
2. Why don't you have any children?
3. When are you going to have children?
4. Are all those children yours?
5. Are you going to have more children?

I'm astounded people ask these questions or comment on the number of children someone has or the lack of children. It's none of their business. I never do this - and I mean never. I was brought up not to ask rude or prying questions.

Right on. I've been amazed more than once at how people engage mouth before brain.

Of course, my "favorite" question:

"Haven't ya'll figured out what causes that yet?"

Man, you'd think people would think before asking something like that...a smart-aleck answering that question could sho' nuff embarass the daylights out of the questioner~

 

[iasusxrist]

We as individuals are encouraged to have children, but it is not a scriptural command. But it is not a requirement for obedience or righteousness.

Hello, John.

I'd like to ask you as well, how do we come to the view that a blessing is not a command?

On that note, I was looking for examples and came across this:

Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

But also this,

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

It seems that most verses refer to a blessing that no one in their right mind could reject, and would be in less than rebellion to do so. The exception being Lk 6, for example.

Any thoughts?