Modeling the Worth of a Child

You can find web sites with a calculator that can count the cost of raising your child. MSN Money has elaborate charts counting the average cost of raising a child. The various media outlets report the large cost of raising children in America today. Even Wikipedia has an entry about the cost of raising a child. In relationship with the mindset that children are a liability, birth rates began to drop in this country. The commentary often runs along the lines of how in an agricultural economy many children were an asset to the family, because they could help out on the farm, but as they became a liability, you must now count the cost as you decide how large your family should be. This has been a major tool of the abortion industry, as they convince parents to “terminate their pregnancy” because this is just going to be a liability that will ruin your future.

In the midst of this effort to devalue children Gary Kerns stands out as a model for the Biblical standard of “be ye fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth.” Gary, and his wife Diana started their family over two decades ago with the birth of twin boys, who both died within a week of being born. Then in 1989 they gave birth to Amber who was born with severe brain damage. At that point they knew that they would have to take care of Amber's every need for the rest of her life. The conventional wisdom of the world shouted to Gary and Diana, “you need to stop right there.” They went on to have four more healthy children.

Was Gary ever angry in the role that God placed him? No doubt he was, but he rarely showed it in public. When you visited his home, Gary would often just get up from his seat in the middle of whatever was going on to turn Amber in her oversized pillow that lay in the floor in the front room, or to feed her, or just to reach over and touch her. Raising his healthy children did not detract from the love that he showered upon Amber.

When you spoke with Gary you might talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers, or your favorite sports team, or work or family, but most of the time he would want to talk about God, and how he should relate to God. It was in the midst of these conversations that you would find the source of Gary's contentment. It would never take long for Gary to get around to expounding about the sovereignty of God. Gary is certain that every thing that happens is controlled by God, and is ultimately useful to His purposes and His glory.

The difference between the worldly mindset that conditions you to count the cost of children, and the Godly mindset, as exemplified by Gary Kerns, is in one's perspective on the purpose of one's life. The first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism is, “What is the chief end of man?” and the answer is, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Instead of expecting that God is obligated to give you your every desire, understand that a sovereign God is directing every detail of history to accomplish His eternal plan. By relinquishing the throne of your life to the sovereignty of God you will experience the “peace that passes understanding” about everything God sends your way, including – especially – children.