I just happened upon your web site and am quite impressed at the volume of material here. Keep up the great work... Now on with my question. What does the Bible have to say about having children after marriage? I am 19 years old right now and it is probably for that reason that I feel the way I do about the whole topic, but right now I am having a hard time understanding the reason or benefit to having children. I have been dating a girl and it seems as if we have everything in common except for our desire (or lack of) for raising children. Don't get me wrong, I get along great with kids and I know they can be a lot of fun but raising kids is not easy. It is a major commitment and huge responsibility for both husband and wife. If you have any insight or suggested verses to read it would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
The first commandment given to man was to have children. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) Psalm 127:4-5 says, “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.”
It is true that some men can not have children. It would be hard to say that God would punish them for violating his command. In the New Testament, Paul advocated people remaining single during the persecution that would come to the church (1 Corinthians 7), but did not make being single or not having children a requirement.
I can tell you from experience (including one child who will probably remain at home all his life because of his retardation) that raising children may be hard, but it is rewarding. On the other hand, I certainly wouldn’t recommend that someone who is dead set against having children bring a child into a situation where it will not be wanted. That would be cruel to the child as well as the parent.
There is one other thing you need to be aware of as well. Probably the second biggest cause of problems between a newly married husband and wife is whether to have children. (The first problem is money.) Whether or not to have children should be one of several things agreed on before any marriage. (Personal opinion)