Providing for a Large Family
by William Einwechter, June 30, 2010
The Scriptures repeatedly extol the blessing of children and their importance to the family and to the kingdom of God. Psalms 127 and 128 declare that God delights in blessings the righteous man with a fruitful wife and children. In view of this biblical teaching, and in keeping with their own love of children, many Christians have contemplated the prospect of having a large family. However, one obstacle against seeking this blessing of God is the matter of finances. They ask themselves: “How can we afford to raise a large family in these days of high prices and high taxes?” Sadly, many answer in the negative and abandon their vision. Others, never even seriously contemplate the issue of a large family because they have concluded: “We couldn’t afford it.”
But we must remember that the God who declares that children are His reward and calls a husband and wife to “be fruitful” is also the same God who states that He will supply all the needs of His children who take Him at His Word and keep His commandments (Phil. 4:19). Scarcity has always been a problem in a world of limited resources, and conditions were not essentially different in the days when the Psalmist extolled the blessing of many children than they are today. The same difficulty of providing adequate material needs for a family faced men in the Old Testament era as it does men in the Christian era. The issue, however, is not our financial resources, but the promise of God to provide for His people.
One of the most important of these promises is found in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The context of Matthew 6:33 rebukes men for seeking financial security in tangible riches. Jesus states that such a practice is a false hope, for all riches can be lost, even in a moment. True financial security is found in making the work of God’s kingdom our priority in life, because if we do, God gives His absolute assurance that He will see to it that all of our material needs are met.
A careful study of Scripture reveals that having children, having many children, and training them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is one of the most significant works for the kingdom of God that a married couple can ever do. Therefore, if a husband and wife seek first the kingdom of God by seeking the blessing of God for many children, then they have God’s immutable promise that He will provide for them and their children!
These things are not mere academic or “ivory tower” reflections for this writer. My wife, Linda, and I have ten children because many years ago we were convinced by the Word of God that raising up many godly children was an essential work for the kingdom of God, and we sought His blessing to that end. Although, humanly speaking, our resources were few, we believed God’s promise in Matthew 6:33, and through the years as our family grew and the financial challenges also grew, He never failed us. God’s Word is true. Those who trust Him find it to be so, but those who look only at their own resources never experience the walk of faith and the power of God to provide. I should further note that My wife and I also have the conviction that the wife and mother is to be a “keeper at home,” and in following that conviction, we have had only one income for the entire span of our marriage (31 years and counting). When we trust and obey God, though our faith may waver, He never fails!
In concert with our faith in God’s promise, parents who have a large family must also, in accord with Scripture, act righteously and prudently. What follows are some principles that we have adhered to in our family:
Establish family priorities. If you are going to raise a large family, then caring for that family’s needs is your first priority. In other words, financial resources are directed to essentials first, and extras and non-essentials second. God always provides for our genuine needs.
Understand your roles. The role of the husband is to provide for his family. To do so, he must be committed to working hard and achieving to the best of his ability. The role of the wife is to be a wise manager of the resources that her husband provides for her use. She must learn the art of making each dollar stretch as far as possible. A diligent man and a frugal, resourceful wife are a team that will be successful in providing for a large family.
Live simply and contentedly. A modest lifestyle that is unencumbered by the desire to live beyond ones means is essential. If we are discontent unless we have the best, the most, and the latest, we are in the grasp of the sin of “covetousness which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). Having a large family does impose certain limits as to what is possible, and these limits need to be cheerfully accepted as part of our calling to be fruitful and raise up children for the Lord.
Act prudently to extend your resources. Here are a few things that we have found important. First, where possible, do the work yourself. Paying others to do work you could have done is a large drain on finances. For example, cook from scratch, home educate your children, and do repairs yourself. Second, always seek the lowest price. This means shopping at discount and second hand stores. It is amazing what you can save. Third, be willing to receive clothing from others. When you have a large family, generous folks like to pass the clothing that their children have outgrown onto your children. Gratefully receive these gifts, and you may find you hardly ever have to buy clothing (that was our experience). Fourth, learn the arts of wellness and healing. Medical costs can constitute a very large outlay. But much of these costs can be averted if we learn prevention and healing through healthful diet and natural healing using herbs and supplements. Fifth, stay out of debt. This is extremely important. Credit card debt and interest on loans for depreciating items are like a canker worm eating out our substance. Sixth, if you can’t afford it, do without. This not only helps avoids debt and a strained budget, it teaches you and your children self-control and contentment.
Ask God to provide. The Lord delights to answer prayer in this regard. Many times my wife and I were pressed and sought the Lord to meet our needs. Every time He provided for us; sometimes by showing us a way we hadn’t considered, sometimes by providing extra work or income, and sometimes through the gifts of others.
A certain Rev. Moses Brown had twelve children. One day a man who was considering how he provided for them, said to him, “Sir, you have just as many children as Jacob.” Rev. Brown replied, “Yes, and I have Jacob’s God to provide for them.” Joseph Hall once stated: “I remember a great man coming into my house at Waltham, and seeing all my children standing in the order of their age and stature, said, ‘These are they that make rich men poor.’ But straight he received this answer, ‘Nay, my lord, these are they that make a poor man rich; for there is not one of these whom we would part with for all your wealth’” (Charles Spurgeon, A Treasury of David).
How true! And so, if a husband and wife are thinking, “How can we afford to raise a large family in these days of high prices and high taxes?” Perhaps, they should be thinking, “Since God has called us to be fruitful, since God has promised to provide for all the needs of those who trust Him and seek first His kingdom, and since children are God’s heritage and worth more than all the gold and silver of this earth, how can we afford not to raise a large family for the glory of God?”
This article, since revised, originally appeared in the Chalcedon Report.