small families= selfishness?

[Unfailing Presence]

11 hours ago, creativemechanic said:

was discussing the birth rate issue in our country with a friend the other day. This is also a problem identified among certain Christian denominations  while other religions e.g. Muslims and Rastafarian have swarms of kids

 

Anothe reason identified was that people now having access to contraceptives and have a better standard of living before will prefer to have smaller families and use the more money and resources that can stretch more to enjoy life more (is the family can have more stuff and do more things  now that the money  stretches further) 

The other person agreedcand considered it as selfishness ie we want less kids so we can have more for ourselves.

what do you think  anoutvtuat perspective. 

I don't know if it is true or not but I have heard it said that people in the more " developed " countries in general are less fertile , and that may be a factor .

[Guest PinkBelt]

11 hours ago, creativemechanic said:

was discussing the birth rate issue in our country with a friend the other day. This is also a problem identified among certain Christian denominations  while other religions e.g. Muslims and Rastafarian have swarms of kids

 

Another reason identified was that people now having access to contraceptives and have a better standard of living before will prefer to have smaller families and use the more money and resources that can stretch more to enjoy life more (is the family can have more stuff and do more things  now that the money  stretches further) 

The other person agreed and considered it as selfishness i.e. we want less kids so we can have more for ourselves.

what do you think  about that perspective. 

It's always easy to tell other people how to live when you aren't the one impacted. I've seen these "quiver full" type cults that have over a dozen kids... so many that mom and dad can't even handle them so they force the older kids to be surrogate parents. Having many children can also adversely affect the woman's health.

[Guest PinkBelt]

1 minute ago, Unfailing Presence said:

I don't know if it is true or not but I have heard it said that people in the more " developed " countries in general are less fertile , and that may be a factor .

People in developed countries have greater access to birth control. But it is also proven in numerous studies that the more education a person has, they later they get married and the less interested they are in *ahem* intimate recreational activity.

[Neighbor]

52 minutes ago, LadyKay said:

I am in no way going against anyone's calling.

??? Never thought you were.  But as to the need for a cartoon- it's all yours if one comes. I'm kind of a tombstone guy, just give me the inscription and spare me the family photos.Just the facts- name and dates, done.

[LadyKay]

44 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

??? Never thought you were.

I knew you weren't I just wanted to add more to my reply.  

[Unfailing Presence]

1 hour ago, PinkBelt said:

1 hour ago, Unfailing Presence said:

I don't know if it is true or not but I have heard it said that people in the more " developed " countries in general are less fertile , and that may be a factor .

People in developed countries have greater access to birth control. But it is also proven in numerous studies that the more education a person has, they later they get married and the less interested they are in *ahem* intimate recreational activity.

May not be a real good barometer but I have known at least two instances within my extended family of couples struggling to have  a child . 

Interesting with one of the couples , I think partially in an effort to change everything that had been so heart wrenching for them ,   decided to sell everything and become Christian missionaries half way around the world . Making a total commitment to Jesus .

No sooner did they become established in this other country Christ granted them their desire for a child  , + more .

They fulfilled their missionary work for several years , and came back  to the states with several new additions .

Just another example that there is nothing about us the Lord does not know and care about , and we just need to let Him lead us  .

 

[Guest PinkBelt]

6 hours ago, Unfailing Presence said:

May not be a real good barometer but I have known at least two instances within my extended family of couples struggling to have  a child . 

Interesting with one of the couples , I think partially in an effort to change everything that had been so heart wrenching for them ,   decided to sell everything and become Christian missionaries half way around the world . Making a total commitment to Jesus .

No sooner did they become established in this other country Christ granted them their desire for a child  , + more .

They fulfilled their missionary work for several years , and came back  to the states with several new additions .

Just another example that there is nothing about us the Lord does not know and care about , and we just need to let Him lead us  .

 

I have no idea how that anecdote it related to what I posted.

[Guest shiloh357]

21 hours ago, creativemechanic said:

was discussing the birth rate issue in our country with a friend the other day. This is also a problem identified among certain Christian denominations  while other religions e.g. Muslims and Rastafarian have swarms of kids

 

Anothe reason identified was that people now having access to contraceptives and have a better standard of living before will prefer to have smaller families and use the more money and resources that can stretch more to enjoy life more (is the family can have more stuff and do more things  now that the money  stretches further) 

The other person agreedcand considered it as selfishness ie we want less kids so we can have more for ourselves.

what do you think  anoutvtuat perspective. 

No, having a small family is not selfishness.  In many cases, it is wisdom.  Selfishness would be not providing for the kids you have in order to make the money go further.   Deciding to have a small family and live inside your means so that you can give your children  a better quality upbringing is the selfless, godly approach. 

I don't think it is appropriate to assign motives to people, as if they don't want too many children just because they want to live for themselves.  That is usually not the case.   People should live in their means and have some money for retirement set back, as well as have the means to take care of emergencies when they arise.   That's not selfishness.

[Fidei Defensor]

Well, “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Pslam 127:4-5)

in Jewish culture they believe you have not multiplied until you have three children, the other two replace the parents and so the third child is the multiplication. 

Ultimately, you must follow the call of Christ. If it is celibacy so be it or a quiver full of kids, or one child so be it. 

[Neighbor]

5 hours ago, Fidei Defensor said:

in Jewish culture they believe

Hi, As a sidenote will you provide some back up to that  declaration? I am unaware of a  common Jewish culture, (Seems to me if there is one it may be to commonly disagree on conclusios reached) never mind a common Jewish culture declaration that one should have three children if one is to multiply. Thanks.