In Psalms, chapter hundred and twenty-seven, verse three, under the old covenant, a large family was known as a blessing, while having no children was considered a curse, as in Genesis thirty, verses two and eighteen, Genesis thirty-three, verse five, Genesis forty-eight, verse nine, and Deuteronomy seven, verse thirteen, accordingly. Under the new covenant, the presence of many children is not necessarily evidence of divine favor, nor is their absence viewed as a curse. A large family may be a misfortune if the children are not correctly cared for and brought to salvation; having no children can be a blessing if one dedicates life and time to the Lord’s service, as in First Corinthians seven, verses seven through eight, verses thirty-two to thirty-three, respectively.
All the children of believers are known as gifts of God from Him, requiring wise and faithful stewardship. Only as parents and children accept, teach, and follow the Lord’s ways and commandments will they experience God’s full blessing.
In First John four, verse four states, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Although this scripture refers to today’s believers, it may also apply to children. When they are born, they are innocent. Even though they do come into this world and are born with a sinful nature through Adam and Eve, they have God’s favor because they have yet to learn anything and are precious in His sight.
God expects parents to teach their children the truth. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” as in Third John one, verse four. The theme verse: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”