Many God-fearing husbands and wives believe that some form of birth control can help to keep their marriages strong and healthy and at the same time enable them to have a better cared-for family. There is nothing in the Bible that condemns the wise and unselfish use of some methods of birth control. (Of course, care is obviously needed to avoid those that may be harmful to health or involve the use of dangerous drugs.)

The fact that children are a gift of God does not mean that pregnancy need always be an unexpected event. Not all gifts come by surprise!

There are some churches that teach that the only lawful method of birth control is abstinence during the times of increased fertility. Paul had a more real appreciation of the needs of marriage than to offer such advice. Instead, he wrote:

“Deprive not one the other, except it be with consent for a time that you may give yourselves unto prayer; and come together again, that you be not tempted” (1 Cor. 7:5).

In the same chapter he tells both husbands and wives alike to satisfy their partner’s reasonable sexual needs (v. 3). Therefore the most satisfactory methods of birth control are those which enable a married couple to follow Paul’s teaching above, but at the same time enable them to limit their family sensibly.

As to the “proper” size of a family (if there is any such thing!), a further point may be appropriate: Paul states:

“If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8).

It is hardly right for married couples to bring into the world children whom they are not able to support.