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?