According to Christian teachings, parents are responsible for caring for and raising their children in a loving and nurturing environment.
Does abandoning a child, whether by physically leaving them or neglecting their needs, go against the principles of love, compassion, and responsibility central to Christianity?
The Bible emphasizes the importance of caring for children and protecting them from harm. Parents are responsible for their children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Therefore, abandoning a child as a Christian goes against the teachings of the faith and can have severe consequences in this life and the afterlife.
Christians are called to love and care for their children and to provide them with the support and guidance they need to become healthy and well-adjusted adults.
What Does the Bible Say About Abandoning Your Child?
1. Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
2. Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
3. Mark 9:42
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
4. Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
5. Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
6. Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
7. Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
8. Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
9. Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death
10. Isaiah 54:13
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
What does the Bible say about not taking care of your child?
11. 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
12. Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
13. Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
14. Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
15. Psalm 34:17-20
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken
16. 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17. 2 Corinthians 12:14
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
18. Titus 2:4
And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
19. James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
20. Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
21. 1 Timothy 5:4
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.
What does the Bible say about leaving a child to himself?
22. 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
23. Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
24. Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
25. Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
26. Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
27. 2 Corinthians 12:14
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
28. Titus 2:4
And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
29. James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
30. Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
31. 1 Timothy 5:4
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.
What does the Bible say about a Father Denying his child
32. 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
33. Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
34. Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
35. Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
36. Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
37. Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
38. Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
39. Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
40. Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
41. Zechariah 11:17
“Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!”
What does the Bible say about not taking care of your child?
42. 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
43. Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
44. Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
45. Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
46. Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
What does the Bible say about leaving a child to himself?
47. 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
48. Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
49. Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
50. Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
What does God say about abandonment?
God is often portrayed as a compassionate and loving deity who is there to comfort and support those who feel abandoned or alone.
It is essential to seek solace in one’s faith and to connect with others who can provide support and care during times of difficulty.
Is giving up your child a sin?
It is important to note that each individual’s circumstances and reasons for wanting to give up their child are unique, and it would be unfair to make a blanket statement about whether it is a sin or not.
Some people may give up their child for financial hardship, mental health issues, or an inability to provide adequate care. In such cases, it may be considered a selfless act of love, as the parent may believe their child would have a better life with someone else.
In addition to being condemned as a sin by the Bible [1 Timothy 5:8], it is also usually terrible behavior for a parent to abandon their family or their child. This is true even when one disregards religion, faith, and convictions.
