Is Being Poor Really the Worst Thing?

Society has convinced people that financial stability is the ultimate prerequisite for parenthood. We hear it constantly: "I can't afford a child right now." "I want to give my children the best." "What kind of life would they have if I can’t give them everything?" But when did material wealth become the defining factor of whether a child should live or not? When did we forget that life itself—however imperfect—is a gift? 

God wills every child into existence. A human soul, uniquely crafted by His hand, is never an accident. Yet, many hesitate to welcome life because of financial struggles, fearing they won't be able to provide every possible comfort. But have we forgotten that suffering has a purpose? That struggle sanctifies? That the poor in spirit—the ones who rely not on themselves but on God—are the ones who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? 

The idea that a child is better off never existing than growing up in a home with financial difficulties is a lie straight from the enemy. This deception elevates material comfort over the human soul, telling parents that unless they can provide everything a child might want, they shouldn’t have children at all. But has having 'everything' made people happier? Or has it bred entitlement, spiritual emptiness, and detachment from what truly matters? 

Children do not need designer clothes, extravagant vacations, or the latest technology. They need love, guidance, faith, and the security of knowing they are wanted and cherished. The best things in life don't cost money. Some of the greatest saints, visionaries, and leaders came from humble beginnings. Their struggles didn’t hinder them—they refined them. And yet today, people reject children on the mere possibility that they might struggle. But isn't hardship what shapes character? Doesn't carrying our crosses bring us closer to Christ? 

We have allowed society to convince us that financial struggle is the ultimate suffering, when in truth, the greatest suffering is separation from God. And often, it is our own pride that stands in the way—our fear of not keeping up with the Joneses, of not appearing as successful as our neighbors. Yet, when we look at traditional Catholic families, we see something striking. Many of them rely on a single income, usually from the father, while the mother stays home to raise multiple children—three, four, seven, even ten. And yet, God provides. They are not going without food, shelter, or clothing. Most importantly, they have love and faith at the center of their homes. 

So why are they thriving while the rest of society hesitates in fear, saying, "I can't do that"? Because they understand a truth that the world has forgotten: that children are a blessing, not a burden. They do not measure success in terms of material wealth but in the eternal value of raising souls for God’s glory. They do not live in constant fear of financial lack because they know that true security is not found in bank accounts but in divine providence. 

They embrace sacrifice and self-denial, recognizing that the world’s definition of comfort is fleeting and empty. They teach their children to find joy in simplicity, to share what they have, and to rely on one another. Their homes are filled with laughter, prayer, and purpose, while so many wealthy households are filled with loneliness, division, and discontent. 

Parents, by rejecting children out of fear of poverty, deny themselves the graces that come with trusting in Him. They trade the immeasurable beauty of a growing family for the empty promise of material security. But true security is found in knowing that we are in the hands of a loving Father who never fails to provide. Every life is a gift, regardless of the circumstances of birth. And for those who already find themselves raising children in difficult situations—know that God’s grace is sufficient. Raising children in love and faith will always outweigh material wealth. 

A poor man with a full heart is richer than a wealthy man with an empty soul. If we truly believe that life is sacred, then we must also believe that God will provide for those who trust in Him. The question isn’t whether a child will have 'everything'—it’s whether we will trust that God’s plans are greater than our fears. Will we choose faith over fear? Will we embrace life as the sacred gift that it is, or will we let the enemy convince us that we are too poor to accept God’s greatest blessings?