THE MYTH: IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO ADOPT - guest blogger

You Can Afford to Adopt
Jason Kovacs posted this in Facts & Statistics & Featured Stories & Myths & Realities & Resources & Stories on Wednesday, April 29, 2009

This is the second post in our new series, The Reality of Adoption: Confronting Common Myths. To read Michael Monroe’s overview of the series, click here.

The Myth: It costs too much to adopt.

The Reality: With help many people making a modest income can afford to adopt.
For many families the dream of adoption ends when they see how much it costs. What was once a great desire is squashed by the reality of $20,000 - $40,000 in fees. For many, this seems impossible at first. What do you do if you find yourself in this position? Please don’t give up hope! Though the costs seem high, there is great encouragment from God’s Word about God’s ability to provide. There are also a growing number of resources available to help families with the cost of adoption.

First, remember that God personally knows the high cost of adoption. It cost Him the blood of His only son to adopt His children. The price we pay in adopting pales in comparison. Also, remember that God loves to provide for His children. Jesus said, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11). There a lot of good gifts that God gives to His children and adoption is definitely one of them! Not only does God love to provide but He is able to provide.


Paul reminds the Corinthians that “God will generously provide all they need” (2 Cor 9:8). This reminds me of the fridge magnet in my grandparents home that said something very true: “Where God guides, God provides.” If you are sensing God’s call to adopt then God will not leave you without the means. That is not to say that it will be easy. On the contrary it seems that God often likes to bring us through difficult experiences so that we will have to trust Him all the more. Though challenging, it is those times that we grow most in our relationship with the Lord and it is in these circumstances that we often see God provide in the most wonderful of ways.


My wife and I felt the call to adopt when I was just starting out in ministry. I was in a small church plant, going to seminary, and my salary was very low. We had no resources of our own and had to trust that God would provide for the whole cost of the adoption. There were many times when I struggled with believing God could or would do this but He did. Every dollar for the adoption came through gifts of family and friends, an interest-free loan, a matching grant, personal fundraising, and a grant. We experienced the whole gamete of help available! I was left humbled and awed at God’s goodness and the kindness of others!


Now four years later, I have the joy of working full-time for the ministry that provided us with an interest-free loan for our adoption. Everyday I have the privilege of hearing from families stepping out in faith and putting the call of God and the love of these children before their desire for financial security. To top it off I hear story after story of God’s faithful provision through various means. More than ever I believe “where God guides, He provides.”


This leads to the second thing to remember as you consider the cost of adoption; there are many financial resources available to those adopting. These include the Government’s Federal Adoption Tax Credit, interest-free loans, grants, and personal fundraising (click here for a list of these resources). Further, an increasing number of churches are helping families by establishing local church adoption funds. This enables the church body to tangibly care for people and join in the adoption journey. Don’t be afraid to share your need with others and invite them to pray and to help financially if they are able. For many, it is a joy they don’t want to miss out on!


When you look at the cost of adoption it can be daunting! Do not let it stop you in your tracks. Pray about it. Trust in God’s ability and love to provide. Then do all you can to tap into the resources available. The cost may be high but it is definitely worth it. In fact, it is priceless. It is your child that God has planned for your family!