Is It a Sin to Not Have Children If You Can?

Many couples today are choosing not to have children so they can focus upon each other. I have watched my daughters-in-law with their newborn babies and my daughters with theirs. They went through long and difficult labors. They hardly slept the first week after giving birth. They were diligent about caring for their babies and even suffering sleepless nights and pain while nursing to bring their children into this world and care for them. I have also watched them do everything in their power to be good and nurturing mothers to their children. Bearing children and raising them comes with a lot of sacrifice and unselfishness. I know; I bore four children and raised them to adulthood. It’s the best prescription for learning to deny our self and live to serve others. This is a good thing!

Tim Challies wrote a piece called “Is It Okay Deliberately Not to Have Children?” He wrote, “A simple, honest reading of the Bible will show how God so commonly associates children with blessing and childlessness with curses or punishment (e.g. Psalm 127:3-5). That same reading will show that children are fundamental to God’s mandate to human beings that we ‘be fruitful and multiply’ so we can ‘fill the earth and subdue it’ (Genesis 1:28). It will show that of all God has created, none has greater significance or worth than human beings (Genesis 1:26-27). Together they build a solid case that those who marry ought to attempt to fulfill all of God’s purposes for marriage. That includes having children.”

My children are all in the thirties now and I can say, without a doubt, they are my greatest blessings in my life. In fact, they are the gift that keeps on giving with grandchildren. I am friends with all of them and their spouses. We all love each other and get along great! They have all given me grandchildren and all of them wanted children. 

God wants a family. He wants a family who chooses to love and follow Him. He wants marriages to produce godly offspring, if they are able. He teaches us in His Word how to discipline and raise them. He gives us many principles to live by and His Holy Spirit to follow through and obey. He is an awesome God and His ways are marvelous. Nothing this world has to offer is better than what He gives us. I watch those precious newborns and am in awe that they are holding an eternal being. Their greatest desire for their children is that they walk with Jesus all of their days.

If you are blessed with the ability to have children, cherish the children the Lord blesses you with. The days are truly long but the years go swiftly by and soon they will be adults having their own children. What joy! Remember, this life is a blip on the scene of eternity so spend your days here glorifying the Lord and living your life for Him by doing as He has asked you to do. Cherish the years raising children since they do grow up quickly. It is all in God’s plan and His plan is perfect.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:305