Commanded to Multiply

God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (1:28). Later, the psalmist wrote, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward . . . Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3, 5).

We believe it is very clear in Scripture that God wants — even commands — married couples to have children. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances that can cause couples to be childless, but the scriptural norm is for us to “be fruitful and multiply.”

Why?

We don’t believe we’re commanded to have children just to have children. We believe God wants us to have children so that we can multiply a godly heritage so that there will be new believers (and we are to make sure we do everything we can to encourage our children to fear and love God) to take the message of salvation to this world’s next generation. Children are a blessing to those who have made a lifetime commitment to marriage. But they are also messengers to a world that needs to hear God’s message of love and salvation.

Taken from FamilyLife Marriage Bible