Topical Bible: Children are a Gift from God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept that children are a gift from God is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This belief underscores the value and sanctity of human life, emphasizing the divine blessing and responsibility that comes with parenthood.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible explicitly states the divine origin and blessing of children in several passages. Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." This verse highlights the belief that children are not merely the result of human procreation but are a direct blessing from God, entrusted to parents as a heritage.

In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply," indicating that procreation is part of God's original design for humanity. This command is not only a directive but also a blessing, as it reflects God's intention for human beings to participate in the continuation of His creation.

The Role of Children in the Family

Children are seen as integral members of the family unit, which is the foundational institution established by God. The family is often depicted as a microcosm of the larger community of faith, where children are nurtured, taught, and prepared to fulfill their roles in God's plan. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse underscores the responsibility of parents to guide their children in the ways of the Lord, ensuring that they grow up with a strong moral and spiritual foundation.

Jesus and Children

The New Testament further affirms the value of children through the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 19:14 , Jesus says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Jesus' welcoming of children and His declaration of their importance in the kingdom of heaven highlight their inherent worth and the purity of their faith.

Spiritual Significance

Children are often seen as symbols of innocence and purity, qualities that are highly esteemed in the Christian faith. Their simple trust and dependence on their parents are reflective of the faith and trust that believers are called to have in God. In Matthew 18:3 , Jesus emphasizes this by stating, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Parental Responsibility

With the gift of children comes the responsibility of stewardship. Parents are called to raise their children in the "discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). This involves not only providing for their physical needs but also nurturing their spiritual growth and character development. The biblical model of parenting is one of love, discipline, and guidance, reflecting God's own relationship with His children.

Conclusion

The biblical view of children as a gift from God is a profound reminder of the sanctity of life and the divine purpose inherent in the family structure. This perspective calls believers to cherish, nurture, and guide their children, recognizing them as precious gifts entrusted to their care by the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 33:5
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with you? And he said, The children which God has graciously given your servant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 127:3
See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Bread of God
... the children of Israel are four times referred to in this context, and on each occasion
are stated as the reason for the gift of the manna. It was God's answer ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

On the Education of Children
... or power to do this or that, without expressly mentioning, that all these are the
gift of God? All this tends to confirm the Atheism of their children, and to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 95 on the education.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Mark viii. 5, Etc. , Where the Miracle ...
... 5. So then this Bridegroom, "fair in beauty above the children of men," became deformed ...
[3153] That we are men and not beasts, is a gift of God; but this is ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlv on the words.htm

Sanctified by God the Father.
... gift of the Holy Spirit to man is the gift of entire ... As God the Father, therefore,
is Himself infinitely holy, and He requires all His children to be holy ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xi sanctified by god.htm

God from whom all Good Things Come
... PSALMS GOD FROM WHOM ALL GOOD THINGS COME. Unless the ... ones sleep. Children
too are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward. As arrows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/god from whom all good.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... hath pleased the Lord to put his own Spirit within his own children, to be a ... excellent
as to make it come under the notion of any gift from God, it having ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvi for as many.htm

Of the Benefit of virginity and of Continency.
... shall they begin to die: for they are equal to the angels of God, since they are
the children of the ... But every one has his proper gift from God; one in ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/32 of the benefit of.htm

Divine Election and Reprobation
... ARTICLE 6. That some receive the gift of faith from ... election pointed out in the Word
of God - such as ... certainty of this election afford to the children of God ...
/.../anonymous/synod of dort/divine election and reprobation.htm

Possessing, and "Working Out. "
... I see some children here: let me tell you a story. ... A Sunday school teacher
wished to show his class how free the gift of God is. ...
/.../moody/sovereign grace/chapter iii possessing and working.htm

The Knowledge of God a Divine Gift, According to the Philosophers.
... XIII."The Knowledge of God a Divine Gift, According to ... in whom it is found." Wisdom
which is God-given, as ... clearly deems it fit to believe the children of God ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiii the knowledge of god.htm