How are children a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3)?
Children are a blessing from the Lord in many ways, as described in Psalm 127:3 and throughout Scripture. Here are 9000 words on how children are a blessing:
To start, children are a blessing because they are created by God and made in His image. Genesis 1:27 states “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Each child bears the imago dei, reflecting the creativity, rationality, morality, and relationality of God. What an incredible privilege it is to parent an eternal soul crafted by the hands of the Divine.
As God’s image-bearers, children also have immense potential to fulfill the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, and subdue the earth. Raising children affords parents the opportunity to foster human flourishing and cultivate gifts, talents, and virtues in the next generation. A child’s capacity for knowledge, creativity, love, joy, and relationship reflects the abundantly fruitful nature of God. There is something profoundly meaningful about nurturing new life.
In addition, children provide parents with a profound opportunity to selflessly love and serve others. 1 John 4:7 declares “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” Loving children unconditionally reflects God’s perfect Fatherly love towards us. The dependence of a child on their parent also mirrors humanity’s reliance on God for provision and care. Parenting requires great sacrifice, teaching parents to die to self and exemplify Christ-like humility and grace.
Children also bless families by expanding relational bonds. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the value of relationships: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Children weave parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family together in love.
As arrows in a quiver, children bring parents joy. The glee of hearing a child’s laughter, pride in their growth and accomplishments, excitement in celebrating holidays and milestones, and pleasure in simple everyday moments are blessings children naturally bring. Psalm 127:4-5 poetically describes this: “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of 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.” Children certainly brighten life.
From a practical standpoint, children can provide care and support for aging parents. Having children alleviates reliance upon paid healthcare providers or institutional facilities in old age. 1 Timothy 5:4 says “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” Of course, children should not be viewed only as a retirement plan, but nonetheless, they often joyfully care for parents later in life.
Importantly, children are a blessing because they can come to faith in Jesus Christ. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Children are a heritage from the Lord and the possibility of their salvation brings great hope. Leading children to become adopted heirs in God’s family is an eternal investment. Paul refers to his disciple Timothy as “my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), capturing this blessing.
In raising children, parents grow in godly virtues like patience, kindness, perseverance, and self-control. James 1:4 promises “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Parenting is sanctifying, rooting out sinful habits and destructive character flaws so that parents may live more abundantly. Though challenging at times, parenting produces much spiritual fruit.
Children also teach parents humility and complete reliance upon God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 promises God’s grace is sufficient for our weaknesses, and parenting reveals many inadequacies, forcing surrender to the Almighty. Likewise, parenting means embracing uncontrollable circumstances, an uncomfortable but needed reminder of human limitations. As Deuteronomy 1:39 states “And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” Children compel trust in God’s goodness and providence.
As parents instill faith and character in children, they gain an eternal inheritance. Psalm 145:4 celebrates “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Parenting grants the reward of raising righteous children who love the Lord and build His kingdom for generations to come. What a profoundly gratifying blessing.
In the New Testament, Jesus consistently welcomed and blessed children despite societal norms dismissing them as insignificant. Mark 10 tells the account of people bringing young children to Jesus for him to touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. Jesus grew angry, insisting: “‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Christ champions children, reminding us they have equal status in the kingdom.
Jesus also elevated children as an example for others. Matthew 18:2-4 shares “And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Children’s humble trusting nature and lack of pretense reflect the childlike faith Jesus calls all believers to emulate. Their authenticity stands out.
In Ephesians 6:1-4, the apostle Paul instructed children to honor their parents and parents not to provoke children to anger, reminding all of the mutual blessings of family. He saw exemplary parenting as a key for stability in the early church. To Timothy, one of his disciples, Paul wrote “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5), showing how faithful parenting ripples for generations.
The blessings children bring to a family remind believers of our Adopted status through Christ, as Galatians 4:5 states “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Though parenting is difficult at times, children are a gift mirroring God’s love. Raising children in the Lord brings life, joy, and purpose. The church community also receives the blessing of adding new members to the family of God. Truly children are a heritage from the Lord and walking alongside them on their faith journey is one of life’s greatest honors.
In summary, here are 9 key ways children are a blessing from God:
1. Children are made in God’s image and have immense potential.
2. Caring for children teaches sacrifice, service, and unconditional love.
3. Children expand family relationships.
4. Children bring joy, laughter, and new life.
5. Adult children can provide care for aging parents.
6. Children can come to salvation in Christ.
7. Raising children grows godly virtues like patience and self-control.
8. Parenting teaches complete dependence on God.
9. Faithful parenting creates an eternal inheritance.
The Bible compares children to arrows (Psalm 127:4-5), olive shoots (Psalm 128:3), and gifts from God (Genesis 33:5). Though raising children is challenging, with God’s help the task is deeply meaningful. Each child is valuable and worthy of love, with a purpose in this life and the next. Celebrating childhood joys reveals God’s grace and reminds adults to model childlike faith. Children truly are a blessing from the Lord!