Is it a sin if one intentionally does not have kids because of the condition of the world today?
I am not aware of any Scripture that says that it is a sin to intentionally not have kids. I am reminded of Romans 14:1-10 (NASB), which says “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”
In other words, for matters that are not specifically addressed in the Scriptures, we should each look to the Lord for what His will is in our lives. The Apostle Paul is an example of someone who chose to remain unmarried and not have children since he knew that God’s will for him was to invest all of his time and energy into serving the Lord. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 (NASB), “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.”
In contrast, the Apostle Paul recognized that the Lord’s will for most people is to marry and have children. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:2 (NASB), “But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.” Paul also said in 1 Timothy 5:14 (NASB), “Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.”
Concerning the condition of the world today, keep in mind that the world has been evil since sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden. We read in Galatians 1:3-4, “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” This verse was written about 2,000 years ago, so the evil in the world is not a new problem. I too struggled with thoughts about if the Lord wanted me to marry and bring children into this evil world. However, I was encouraged by Ephesians 6:4, which reads “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” My wife and I have two children, and it is a privilege to share the good news of salvation with our children. Both children have repented of their sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, for which we praise the Lord and do not take for granted. Now these children can be two more lights in this evil world to shine for Christ and lead others to salvation in Christ. My wife and I have experienced the truth of Psalm 127:3, which reads “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”
May the Lord guide you and give you peace about this decision and every decision of your life. You will find that people will have strong opinions about this issue, but you do not need to try to please them. Seek only to please the Lord and He will guide you in doing His will. (381.6) (DJ)