Why do we have children again?

There is currently a series on MSN.com regarding kids and money. They have produced articles and video on three ideas so far, with three more coming. You can access the series by clicking HERE! It provides some great insight into kids and families nowadays. Take a look at some of the videos and post some comments. For instance, check out this quote:

"According to estimates in 'The Kids' Market in the U.S.,' a 2006 report from market-research publisher Packaged Facts, kids aged 3 to 11 comprise a U.S. population subgroup of 36 million that had a collective $18 billion in purchasing power in 2005. The report projects that kids will command $21.4 billion in discretionary spending by 2010, with annual family expenditures on kids' products set to reach approximately $143 billion."

That is some major power and influence our kids have over us! I also recently heard that we will spend around $235,000 to raise our children from Birth to age 18. You can check out THIS calculator. Once again, some major bucks. It's a wonder we even have kids!
So why do we? Let me put a couple of Bible verses in here:

Psalm 127:3 - Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:4-5 - 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.

We have children because God blesses us with them. We also have children because as a means of carrying out the Great Commission - making disciples who make disciples. The more children honest Christian families have, the more disciples there will be, and the more people will be reached for God's Kingdom. I, for one, would like to produce as many disciples for Christ as I can, so I allow God to bless us with as many children as He sees fit.

That's why we have children.

Dean