Birth rates in the United States have steadily declined in the last decade. Generally, they have been dropping since the 1960s. According to Pew Research1, today, we are reproducing at a rate well below the replacement level necessary to maintain the national population without immigration. Negative population growth is of deep concern because, left unchecked, it can signal the demise of a country as the population dwindles. It is of such concern that some world governments offer financial incentives for women to have more children.
Family planning isn't a new concept, but the definition and implementation changed dramatically in the past five decades. Prior to oral contraceptives, family planning usually meant naturally controlling the number of children and the spacing between them. Today we typically view family planning as the use of artificial contraception or sterilization.
Artificial contraception and abortion increased markedly with the advance of the sexual revolution. This dramatic cultural shift separated the consequence of pregnancy from the act of sexual intercourse, supposedly freeing the following generations of women from the "burden" of bearing children.
I want to propose an alternative definition of family planning. What if we looked at family planning as creating a situation where each child conceived will be loved and cared for within the boundaries of marriage between a woman and a man?
Biblical Principles
Before we specifically delve into the question of God's view of family planning, let's consider some biblical principles about families and planning.
Principle #1: God plans for males and females to join in marriage for the purpose of raising children.
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" (Genesis 1:28).
God intends for children to be produced from the union of husband and wife. This verse early in Genesis is the first of many times God tells people in the Bible to be fruitful and multiply. God does not appear to be as concerned with the possibility of overpopulating the earth as our modern culture now obsesses.
Principle #2: All children are a blessing from God.
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him (Psalm 127:3).
Some experts today suggest that children's value (or blessing) is derived from the extent that they are wanted. If a woman desires to have a baby, then that child should be born. But if the baby is inconvenient, then it might be better for that child to be aborted. After all, there are so many unwanted children. Why cause such lifelong misery?
But throughout the Bible, God is unequivocal about the value of children. All human value is solely dependent upon the fact that He created them in His image, not upon any man-made measurement.
Principle #3: Parents should provide for their children's needs.
But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:8).
Parents have the responsibility to provide for the physical needs of their children. While it's not sinful to need occasional help, mothers and fathers are told to do what it takes to provide food, shelter, and clothing for children. Note this verse refers to what is needed, not necessarily everything that is wanted.
Principle #4: Parents should invest in raising children.
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
These verses in Deuteronomy demonstrate how parents are to live according to God's ways and then diligently pass them on to their children. This lifelong process models a biblical worldview. Our parental priority is to teach our children to love and depend on God.
Principle #5: Parents can trust God.
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3).
Fear is a powerful motivator. Parents struggle with many fears—fear of inadequacy, fear of not having enough, fear of the future. I could go on. But the Bible says fear should never control our decisions. God's perfect love banishes fear (1 John 4:18). In particular, family planning should be free from any fears.
Principle #6: Planning under the authority of God is best.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
God is not opposed to planning. There are many verses in the Bible that commend thinking ahead and preparing. But God does not want His children to be self-reliant. Self-reliance fools us into falsely believing we are in control. Our plans must always be surrendered to God's sovereignty.
Is God Against Family Planning?
Now that we have examined some definitions and principles, we can use them to consider the question. According to my definition of family planning, we can say the short answer is "no."
God created the institution of family. Husband and wife are commanded to cleave to one another and multiply. To have children. Sadly, it is true that some couples face infertility. My heart sympathizes with those caught in this result of a sin-corrupted world. If you are struggling with infertility, I pray God will provide another way for you to become a parent or influence children for His kingdom. But the fact that some cannot have children does not negate God's original good plan for every married couple to produce offspring.
Couples should also plan to properly love and care for the children God entrusts to them. They should commit to one another for a lifetime and humbly ask God for provision and wisdom as they raise their children to respect and live for Him.
Does Quantity Matter?
I cannot think of anywhere in the Bible where God commands a specific number of children that is just right. But this Psalm hints that more children bring greater blessing.
Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them (Psalm 127:4-5a)!
A "full quiver" of children gives immense joy to parents. But that phrase does not define a number. The main idea is that we should be thankful for whatever number of children God gifts to us. Because children are gifts, we should not demand, nor should we reject, the blessing of children. We simply receive and steward their lives to the best of our ability.
Is God Against Family Planning? A Longer Answer
Just as with the number of children, I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where God says it is immoral to use artificial means of birth control. The only caveat to this would be any abortifacient birth control that causes the disruption of a conceived child (fertilized egg). I also want to add that I highly respect those whose understanding may differ from mine regarding the use of artificial birth control. I am not the final authority on biblical interpretation. I encourage each to study the Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Whatever method you choose for family planning—natural or artificial—it's vital to evaluate your heart using principles five and six above. I offer several considerations as you make decisions.
Is Fear Suppressing Your Desire to Have Children?
One of my biggest regrets in life is allowing fear to keep me from having more children. My oldest child was born with Down syndrome, a diagnosis that early on consumed my time along with all my physical and emotional resources. After we settled into the routine of raising her, I rejected the idea of more children because I worried that I couldn't handle her needs along with a newborn. I also knew there was no guarantee a second child wouldn't have some special need. I feared that might push me over the edge. Years later, I finally trusted God enough to have another child, but I often wonder what blessings I forfeited because of foolish fear.
What fears control your thinking? A quick Google search lists the annual cost of a child to be nearly $15,000. Does that expense daunt you? What about the doom and gloom state of the world today? Or maybe your own parents didn't do such a good job, and you wonder if you'd follow their poor pattern. What if you could believe that God can overcome all these obstacles and make way for you to raise more children?
Are you elevating self-centered desires and goals above God's command to have children?
Sadly, I also have experience devising my plans and expecting God to work around them rather than submitting my plans to God's authority. Are you waiting for the perfect timing? First, you must finish college. Then find a good-paying job. And buy a four-bedroom house. Next, you want to enjoy a couple of years of carefree life hitting your bucket list. Maybe then the time will be suitable for a baby. But are all these things truly necessary before having a child? Are these really God's priorities?
If you can identify with either of these heart issues, you are not alone. Today's culture is preoccupied with both self-absorption and fear. In fact, these two conditions seem to feed off each other.
Ask God to Boost Your Faith
The Bible doesn't say, "Thou shalt not use birth control," but it does warn about seizing control of our lives from God.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12).
The depressed birth rate in the U.S. could pose an existential threat to our nation. Following our own path rather than God's way is even more serious. But when we ask, God takes our hand in His and guides us to the right path. When it comes to family planning and any other decision for that matter, let's ask God's Spirit to control us.
1 Is U.S. fertility at an all-time low? Two of three measures point to yes; Pew Research; https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/22/u-s-fertility-rate-explained/
*All Bible verses are taken from the New Living Translation
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Annie Yorty writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God’s person, presence, provision, and purpose in the unexpected twists and turns of life. Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, she mothers a teen, two adult children (one with intellectual disabilities), and a furry beast labradoodle. She has written From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome, and a devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus. Please connect with her at AnnieYorty.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
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