If "birth control" were practiced in the past like it is today, would our world look different? How would it be different? Who wouldn't be here? Rick and Jan Hess the authors of "A Full Quiver" write about this subject. They invite us to imagine hosting a dinner party for famous and influential people of the past, but the catch is that they have to be only the first, second or third born. Who wouldn't be invited to the party? These are a few highlights from the list: King David, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, George Washington, Jonathan Edwards, David Livingston, Dwight L. Moody, Nate Saint, Corrie ten Boom and Susanna Wesley and her sons John and Charles. It is interesting to note that Susanna was baby #24 and John and Charles were #15 and #17!
Clearly these people would be acclaimed as some of the most influential people of all time. Their lives continue to bless us even today. But today, sadly, many believe that people are not a blessing but a curse. Countries in our world outlaw children, Population Control would have us believe that children are a poison to our earth, and the Humanists of our country have indoctrinated us against having large families. These are largely the views of people who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But are the views really any different within the Body of Christ?
All throughout scripture it is evident that God considers children a blessing.
*"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number...' " Gen. 1:28
*"God blessed Noah and his sons saying to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number...' " Gen. 9:1
*"I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her..." Gen.17:16
*"So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous" Ex.1:20
* A blessing was spoken over Ruth's child - the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:11-22
*"Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, May the Lord give you children...And the Lord was gracious to Hannah and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters." 1Sam.2:20-21
*Elizabeth was blessed to have a baby. see Luke 1
*"Blessed are you [Mary] among women and blessed is the Child you will bear!" Luke1:42
*"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." Mk. 10:16
*Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Ps. 128:3-5
Do we really believe that people are a blessing? Many would say that 1-3 is a blessing (given the right spacing) but beyond that babies can be a burden. They are hard to manage, hard to provide for, and hard to raise. We say that babies are a blessing and no one rejects the blessing of the baby they hold but to have any more - that would be a burden.
Think of it this way, let's say that your boss offered you a raise for your hard work. Would you consider that money a blessing? Most would accept it and say that God blessed them with more money. But if God were to offer you the blessing of more children, would you accept them or would you say, "Thank you very much but I have enough blessings right now."
Maybe your heart does love children and truly does consider them a blessing. But maybe you have gone through terrible circumstances and have made birth control decisions based on those times. I don't have all the answers, but God does. Could God redeem your situation and give you beauty for ashes? Do not fear, God says, He will never leave you or forsake you. God only wants the best for us and that is my heart for you my friend, that you would know and experience the blessing of God.
Clearly these people would be acclaimed as some of the most influential people of all time. Their lives continue to bless us even today. But today, sadly, many believe that people are not a blessing but a curse. Countries in our world outlaw children, Population Control would have us believe that children are a poison to our earth, and the Humanists of our country have indoctrinated us against having large families. These are largely the views of people who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But are the views really any different within the Body of Christ?
All throughout scripture it is evident that God considers children a blessing.
*"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number...' " Gen. 1:28
*"God blessed Noah and his sons saying to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number...' " Gen. 9:1
*"I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her..." Gen.17:16
*"So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous" Ex.1:20
* A blessing was spoken over Ruth's child - the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:11-22
*"Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, May the Lord give you children...And the Lord was gracious to Hannah and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters." 1Sam.2:20-21
*Elizabeth was blessed to have a baby. see Luke 1
*"Blessed are you [Mary] among women and blessed is the Child you will bear!" Luke1:42
*"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." Mk. 10:16
*Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Ps. 128:3-5
Do we really believe that people are a blessing? Many would say that 1-3 is a blessing (given the right spacing) but beyond that babies can be a burden. They are hard to manage, hard to provide for, and hard to raise. We say that babies are a blessing and no one rejects the blessing of the baby they hold but to have any more - that would be a burden.
Think of it this way, let's say that your boss offered you a raise for your hard work. Would you consider that money a blessing? Most would accept it and say that God blessed them with more money. But if God were to offer you the blessing of more children, would you accept them or would you say, "Thank you very much but I have enough blessings right now."
Maybe your heart does love children and truly does consider them a blessing. But maybe you have gone through terrible circumstances and have made birth control decisions based on those times. I don't have all the answers, but God does. Could God redeem your situation and give you beauty for ashes? Do not fear, God says, He will never leave you or forsake you. God only wants the best for us and that is my heart for you my friend, that you would know and experience the blessing of God.
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