They enter this world so cute, so blameless, but somewhere along the way become hardened like us. Try as we might, our little ones won't come out of the womb as perfect, nor will they end their lives as perfect people. Such is the result of living in a fallen world. Our parents want what’s best for us, and we want what's best for our kids, but what’s best never seems to happen. For those yet to have children, the state of the world understandably gives them pause, enough pause to consider whether or not becoming a parent is wise.
War, sickness, social upheaval, transgenderism, and the reality of sin should cause anybody concern. When you become a parent, you and your spouse are not the only ones contending with these problems. Your children will face them too. Thus, if society is on a steep decline and we’re heading towards the end of days, why have children at all?
These fears are understandable, even if not justified.
Besides the fear permeating hearts, other adults are deriving satisfaction from not having children. These people view the choice as a blessing, not a hindrance. In fact, they consider the “childfree” lifestyle as the better alternative to starting a family. By not having kids, there’s more money in the bank account, more free time, and far less responsibility. Social media labels this lifestyle for couples as #childfree and for singles as #SINK - single income, no kids.
However, as tempting as these lifestyles may appear, especially to younger people, as believers, we’re called to live differently from those in the world. For us, most believers have a calling on their life to marry and start families.
But let’s say you’re still not convinced. With all that they allow us to do and all that they don’t, why should we have children?
In no particular order, here are seven rewarding reasons why we should have children.
1. God desires procreation.
After making man in His image, God’s first command was to “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth” (Genesis 1:28). God gave man dominion over the entire Earth, but one man alone can’t accomplish any of that. That explains why the Lord gave man a helper, and, together, the ability to procreate. Only by multiplying our numbers can we fulfill this tenet He has set forth. Of course, baby-making is only one way to be fruitful and multiply, but it is the most obvious!
2. Society ends without children.
Some people consider marriage to be the cornerstone of society. If that’s true, this fact only emphasizes the importance of family and childrearing. Healthy marriages produce healthy families. When two parents are committed to one another, children feel those effects. As they grow up, they find opportunities to emulate that love with other people, and, hopefully, when starting a family of their own.
Without marriage, the number of stable households diminishes. Something we see unfolding today. And without stable households, fewer children are born. Those that are often become maladaptive. With fewer people, the population decreases, and with fewer good people, crime rises, values disappear, and society collapses.
3. Family lines end without children.
There’s an inconceivable loneliness felt when a person lies on their deathbed, looks around, and has no loved ones near, all because they thought that being childless in their youth was wise. We are not called to glorify our family’s name, but the Lord’s. Yet, our household’s ability to serve the Lord dies with us if we have no offspring.
4. Children are an opportunity to serve.
In many ways, having children is a way for Christians to practice servitude. God created us, and thus we create, further spreading His image. Much like marriage is an opportunity to serve our spouse, having a family is an opportunity to serve our children. We teach them, offer counsel, encourage, support, challenge, all in an effort to make them more like Christ. And as we serve them, we are reminded of truths that we, too, need to hear.
5. Children are the natural result of sex.
If sex is a God-given gift, then so are children, because they are the natural result of male-female copulation. Abortion is a choice far too many have made, but God’s Word is clear, “Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13). If you have a child unexpectedly, see them as a gift to honor, not a burden to flee.
6. Children remind us of God.
Children keep us grateful and humble by reminding us of God’s character. Specifically, they bring to mind His love, provision, protection, and more. They do this by offering us a mirror of ourselves. If we reflect on how we look after our children and the fierce conviction we feel for them, we realize that is only a fraction of the dedication God has for His children, for us.
7. Children help us grow.
As the sinners we are, all of us grapple with selfish tendencies. When we live for just ourselves, the natural outcome is selfishness. When we instead focus our attention on others, namely our children, the byproduct is a better version of ourselves, something more reflective of Christ. Children teach us other fruits of the spirit, too, like patience, joy, gentleness, and self-control.
Conclusion
If you’re a young adult today, and on the fence about whether or not to have children, let the aforementioned reasons give you some direction. Children have a lot to offer, but there’s no denying that they take away. The truth is you will miss out on opportunities. If you prioritize your family, work will receive less attention. Likewise, however, if you prioritize work, you will miss out on opportunities with your family. The question to consider is what should be most important, not just as a man or as a woman, but as a believer.
There’s a decision to make, with ramifications that will be felt and remembered. In wisdom, which one will you choose?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Nadezhda1906
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.