What Does the Bible Say About Having Children?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary holds a degree in theology and she has a deep understanding of biblical texts. She works as an elementary school teacher in Alabama.

Wondering what the Bible says about having children? It’s all about God’s view on this matter. Keep reading to find out more.

Curious about God’s perspective on having children? Let’s dive into what the Bible has to say about it and discover some surprising insights.

What Does the Bible Say About Having Children?

In the Bible, the topic of having children is a significant one, and it carries both spiritual and practical implications. The Bible’s perspective on this matter can be summed up in a few key points.

First and foremost, the Bible emphasizes the importance of being fruitful and multiplying. In the book of Genesis, God blessed Adam and Eve, the first humans, with the command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). This command suggests that having children is not only allowed but encouraged as part of God’s plan for humanity.

Moreover, throughout the Old Testament, having children is often seen as a blessing from God. Many biblical figures, like Abraham and Sarah, experienced God’s faithfulness in granting them children despite their old age. This highlights God’s role in the process of having children and reinforces the idea that it is aligned with His will.

While the Old Testament places a strong emphasis on fertility and posterity, the New Testament brings a new perspective. In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings focus more on spiritual rebirth and the kingdom of God rather than physical reproduction. However, it’s essential to note that Jesus himself welcomed children and emphasized their importance in God’s kingdom (Matthew 19:14).

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Lawsuits?

In summary, the Bible doesn’t explicitly state that having children is a requirement or a sin. Instead, it portrays it as a blessing from God, a means to fulfill His command to be fruitful and multiply, and a reflection of His faithfulness.

Bible Verses About Having Children

  1. Genesis 1:28 – “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.'”
  1. Psalm 127:3 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
  1. Genesis 15:5 – “And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.'”
  1. Psalm 128:3 – “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.”
  1. Matthew 19:14 – “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”
  1. Psalm 113:9 – “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!”
  1. Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.”
  1. Genesis 18:14 – “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
  1. Psalm 22:9-10 – “Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb, you have been my God.”
  1. Proverbs 17:6 – “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
See also  What Does the Bible Say About Pangea?

These verses illustrate the various aspects of having children as portrayed in the Bible—blessing, faith, God’s sovereignty, and the importance of children in God’s kingdom. Continue for more insights into this biblical topic.