Waxing Religious?

I'm always religious, though. And I actually hate the term. Religious to me means a set of rules or laws laid down and that is not at all how I view God or my relationship with Him. But I digress, and I haven't even started yet.

I've recently posted on my gratitude for our littlest, and my geopolitical/moral views about the subject of families with more than the average number of kids. This will address my 'spiritual' views on having children in general. These were all one confusing post in a past life.

I saw a scripture referenced last night. I don't remember where. It was a single verse from Matthew, and I was so amazed to see it in light of the idea of having children. Matthew 18:5, quoting our Savior, no less, reads,

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

I think that about sums up my view on the subject. I can't find a better authority to quote.

There are other scriptures. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. 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. That is my other favorite, though in my aged-ness I may need to research the Psalmist's definition of "youth" a little more specifically here. :)

Nowhere in the Bible can I find reference to anyone praying to not have children. Nowhere does God punish someone by giving them more children. Quite the contrary: Hannah, Rachel, Tamar, Sarah, and others plead with God to open their wombs so they might bear children. When God poured out blessings, he "greatly increased them," and I don't think He was only talking about their bank accounts. Modern America would finish the Job story with Job receiving double his herds and servants, but only half his original number of children. After all, if he wanted to prosper, he'd need less mouths to feed (minds to educate?), right? God doesn't seem to think so...