Quiverfull - How Can You Afford Them All?
by Mrs. Traci Knoppe

*4-23-06 Note: I originally wrote this article a few years ago and had it on my Titus 2 Ministries web site; I’m just now getting it copied here to my blog. Any changes or modifications to the article are in bold.

I smile every time I heard someone ask this question. Not out of disrespect, but because I realize that many times the person asking is assuming that children need all the things the world tells us they do: expensive clothes, daycare, private schools, video games, expensive vacations, way too much baby equipment, etc…. What children need most is your time and your love. Now obviously they do need to eat and have clothes to wear and a roof over their heads. But they don’t all have to have their own rooms, in a gigantic house with the newest cars in the driveway! Take-out food is a luxury, it needn’t be an everyday way of life!

One at a time: First, let’s get back to basics: God generally only gives you one baby at a time. Sometimes He has a sense of humor and doubly blesses you with twins, but not that often. So you are only adding to the family needs one person at a time, one little person. If with the first baby, you buy the necessities you will use, and then re-use them with each baby, your costs are very minimal those first few years. Breastfeeding is free and cloth diapering is free after the first baby! Personally, we use a cradle for our newborns, then move them to a crib, but if you practice sleep sharing with your baby, you don’t need a crib at all! I highly recommend a baby sling and perhaps a high chair for later on, and of course a car seat. Other than sleepers and a few outfits, you’re set for a newborn!

Clothing them: I have always bought most of my children’s clothing at resale shops. I like resale shops over garage sales, because they’re open when I have time to go, and they have good name-brand clothing for a whole lot less than retail. I like quality, I just don’t like retail! As a matter of fact, I rarely pay retail for anything. I don’t buy anything that we don’t need.

Feeding them: I shop at Aldi’s (a very inexpensive discount food store) and Super Walmart. I do make a monthly stop at the local bread store outlet and a little grocery here in town has great deals on meat. I make a list, and only buy what’s on my list! I do buy some things in bulk, but only those things I use often, as storage is at a premium. I like to do my own version of freezer cooking, so when I’m busy, or a family needs a meal, I have something already prepared.

Education: we homeschool, and try to use curriculum that can be re-used. Regarding college, we have a set amount that we will pay, and the rest is up to the student! There’s nothing wrong with a young adult having to work their way through college!! Note: since we moved, and found a wonderful, conservative private school closeby and it’s AFFORDABLE!! All the children now go to private school. The best news is that we only have to pay for the first three children, any over that go FREE!

Housing: It is absolutely not necessary that every child have their own room! Some people even have enough rooms to do that, but prefer their children share to learn better how to get along and share. Some of my children have their own rooms, and some don’t. Please don’t let the size of your home be a factor in how many children you have. Yes, if God blesses you with 12 children, your 2 bedroom home may be a bit small - but pray that God will provide a bigger home, if that’s his will for your life!

Gadgets & Gizmos: In this electronic age, there are more fandangled toys on the market than ever before! These are not needs, and personally, I think there are many dangers in some of these electronic games. Just because Johnny or Suzie down the street has the latest toys, doesn’t mean your children need them too. Buy some board games and play them as a family - this is how memories are made.

So ultimately how one affords many children is by careful spending, avoiding over extravagance and faith in God - the provider of all!

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Quiverfull - Giving Them All Attention
by Mrs. Traci Knoppe

I have always felt quality, quantity time was better than just a bit of quality time. Children need our time and our love. So how does one give several children the time and love they need? All throughout the day, I will pull each child aside for a cuddle, a story and some momma lovin’! Once a week, I will take one child with me to run an errand or go to the store, or I will have one child work side-by-side with me as I do a household task. As a keeper at home, I’m able to do this all throughout the day, and yes, sometimes at night! My husband also works in one-on-one time with the children, while he’s doing chores around the house. Daddy time is just as important and momma time.

Of course, the bulk of our day is spent with us all together. We read together, play together, work together and have fun together! This is what being a family is all about. Just being there to kiss the boo-boos, eat together, talk with them and teach them as needed - is all attention.

So it really boils down to the little moments that add up to lots of time and love.

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Mrs. Traci Knoppe lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Mark, six children, one son-in-law and four Shih Tzus. Aside from her life as wife and mother, she owns a web design company that she runs from her home. Traci also co-leads the Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ministry through which she mentors women and does public speaking. Traci has written numerous articles on the subject of parenting, homekeeping, marriage and the Christian faith. Traci and Mark also actively serve in their church.

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Quiverfull - the Blessings of Children
by Mrs. Traci Knoppe

Quiverfull - perhaps you’ve heard the term before, and wondered what exactly it meant. Quiverfull means leaving your family planning up to God: no birth control, no natural family planning, no rhythm method - nothing but God’s timing and spacing in regards to the blessing of children. The term ‘quiverfull’ itself is derived from the verse in Psalms:

Psalms 127:3-5 “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

A quiver is what holds arrows. In the above comparison to a warrior, where it is best to go into battle with a full quiver of arrows, so to is a man blessed to have many children in his ‘quiver’.

God clearly sees children as blessings, this is indicated all throughout scripture. It is through his own son (Jesus) that salvation came to the world! (here are just a few verses: Genesis 24: 60; Genesis 22:49; Psalms 37: 25-26; Psalms 112:2; Psalms 128:2-3; Matthew 18:3-6; Matthew 19:14-15; Mark 10:13-16; 1Timothy 2:15)

So why the quiverfull way of life? Let me ask you this, have you ever met anyone more trustworthy than God? Do you like to receive blessings of money, clothing, food and so on from God? Would you refuse such blessings? Then why not trust God to give you blessings of children? Often people worry about providing for the children, but God’s word tells us not to worry about such things.

Luke 12:27-31 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you. O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

Not only does God see children as blessings, He also commands us to be fruitful and multiply, it is one of the main purposes for marriage. (see verses: Genesis 1:22, 9:1 and 35:11; Exodus 1:7; Psalms 128:3). Having children is a God’s desire for married couples, and the reason they ‘become one’:

Malachi 2: 15 “Has not the Lord, made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring.”

Just imagine the impact on the world, for the Kingdom of God, that Christian families could make if they all had as many blessings (read: children) as God would give them, and they trained them all up to love the Lord. What an awesome thought!!

I do want to mention something, just because you leave your family planning up to God, doesn’t mean he will give you lots of children. He may choose to give you none. I personally do not believe that the New Testament teaches that a barren woman is being cursed by God! I believe that God has plans for us that we do not know or understand, and that’s where faith comes in. It could also be that God will fill your quiver through adoption!

Let me stress: this is an area where both the husband and wife must agree! I’ve seen many women convicted in this area, and their husbands are not, and it causes great strife in their marriage. Ladies, obey your husbands!!

________________________________________________________________Mrs. Traci Knoppe lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Mark, six children, one son-in-law and four Shih Tzus. Aside from her life as wife and mother, she owns a web design company that she runs from her home. Traci also co-leads the Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ministry through which she mentors women and does public speaking. Traci has written numerous articles on the subject of parenting, homekeeping, marriage and the Christian faith. Traci and Mark also actively serve in their church.

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