Child Support

Child support, in essence, allows children whose parents are separated or divorced to benefit from both incomes the same way they would if their parents remained together. The financial responsibility for children rests with both parents. Children have a right to be provided for.

The Bible says children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3-5). When someone gives you a gift, you look after it and cherish it. Children, like gifts, need to be cherished and cared for.

Monies received as support are not meant to provide children with spending money. Instead, it is to provide for a child’s expenses like food, clothing, education and shelter. Payments may indirectly benefit the other parent when used for such things as shelter or heat but it still benefits the children.

What responsibility do Christian's have to provide for their children? Paul talks about the Christian’s responsibility to provide for their immediate family in his discussion about the care of widows in 1 Timothy 5. He says it is a serious failure for a Christian not to provide for his own relatives. He goes on to say that it is natural to care for family and that even non-believers do that. When a Christian chooses not to provide, he denies his faith and what Christianity teaches; the love of God and others. He is worse than an unbeliever and brings reproach on the name of the Lord (1 Timothy 5:8). It is important to note that this applies to both fathers and mothers.

Child support should never be withheld as a means to punish or get revenge against the other parent. In the same manner, access to children should never be denied because of a failure to pay child support. Financial parenting and emotional parenting are two separate matters. Children need the active presence of both parents in their life.

Support does not have to be court mandated. Separating or divorcing parents can have a written or verbal agreement with regards to how both parents will provide for the children financially. This could include not only a set monthly support amount, but also specific amounts for special needs like childcare or medical expenses.

If you are preparing your own separation agreement, doing your own divorce or want to be informed about what the court in your jurisdiction says about your financial obligations to your children, you can access that information below.

Having Trouble Paying or Receiving Child Support?

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