Does the Bible say anything about being a sperm/egg donor?

TL;DR:

The Bible does not directly address sperm or egg donation, but God is the Creator of life and calls us to honor Him with our bodies, not just pursue human convenience. Christians should seek God’s guidance, consider ethical implications, and seek His will regarding sperm or egg donations.

what does the bible say?

The Bible does not directly address sperm or egg donation, but it provides guiding principles about life, marriage, and honoring God with our bodies that inform how Christians approach these modern reproductive technologies. In the Old Testament, God is shown as the ultimate Creator of life (Psalm 139:13–16), and procreation is intended within monogamous marriage (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (Genesis 16–17) illustrates the consequences of attempting to fulfill God’s promises through human shortcuts. The New Testament emphasizes that our bodies and actions should glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 10:31), calling believers to carefully consider ethical questions such as the child’s upbringing, marital context, and potential destruction of embryos in IVF or research. Christians are encouraged to seek God’s guidance through prayer, research, and counsel (Colossians 1:9–10), ensuring their decisions align with His will, rather than convenience or human desire. Ultimately, while Scripture does not give explicit instructions on sperm or egg donation, it calls believers to uphold the sanctity of life, act responsibly, and honor God in all reproductive choices.

from the old testament

God is the Creator of life (Psalm 139:13–16). This means that regardless of how a woman tries to get pregnant, ultimately, God is in control of whether or not a life will be created.
God commands men and women to only have sex within the context of a monogamous marriage (Genesis 2:24; see Hebrews 13:4).
One story that gives us some insight into God's thoughts on procreation is that of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16–17). God made a covenant with Abraham, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations" (Genesis 17:4). He promised to give Abraham and his wife Sarah a son even though they were very old. However, they doubted God, and Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with her servant Hagar so that he could have a descendant. Although Hagar did have a son with Abraham, it caused conflict between her and Sarah and displeased God because they had not trusted Him to fulfill His promise. This story demonstrates the importance of seeking God's will in all things, even having children, because He has our best interests in mind and wants to protect us from suffering.

from the new testament

God wants us to honor Him with our bodies through our actions (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). First Corinthians 10:31 echoes this, saying, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It is wise for an individual or couple to seek God's will for them regarding children, so they can make decisions that align with His plan for them.

implications for today

The concept of sperm and egg donation is fairly new due to advancements in modern medicine. Consequently, the practice is not mentioned directly in the Bible, leaving people to question whether or not it is morally acceptable for a Christian. On one side, some people insist sperm/egg donation is a sin because it is trying to create life by human means instead of submitting to God's will. However, others would say that God has provided us with this medical advancement and wants us to use it.

When seeking God's will on this matter, there are some key questions both men and women should ask themselves. Men who want to donate sperm should ask: Who will use my sperm and for what purpose? Will they raise the child in a godly home, free from abuse, and with the support of two parents? What effect will my absence have on the child growing up? Women who want to use donated sperm or to donate eggs should ask: Who will use my eggs and for what purpose? Is it ethical for me to put sperm from a man who is not my husband into my body? What effect will my absence have on the child growing up?

Men and women considering any involvement with sperm and egg donation also need to ask: Will the sperm or eggs be used for in-vitro fertilization or stem-cell research? In both of these scenarios, it is possible that fertilized embryos will later be destroyed or never used. This use of embryos would be along the same line as abortion and is not acceptable to God.

As with all gray areas in our faith, it is important that Christians bring this issue before God in prayer. Couples and individuals should be intentional in researching their options, seeking advice from doctors and family, and praying for a clear answer from God (Colossians 1:9–10). God's answer to one family might be different from another, so it is important to seek God's will for your specific situation and not base your decision on what other people have done.

understand

The Bible doesn’t directly address sperm or egg donation but emphasizes honoring God with our bodies.
Procreation is intended within marriage, and trying to bypass God’s plan can have consequences.
Christians should seek God’s guidance, consider ethical implications, and prioritize the child’s welfare when making decisions about donation.

reflect

How should you seek God’s guidance before making big decisions?
How do your choices around procreation honor God with your body and respect His design for life?
How do you weigh ethical considerations, such as the child’s well-being or potential destruction of embryos, regarding sperm or egg donors?

engage

How should we interpret and apply biblical principles on life and marriage to guide modern reproductive technologies?
What responsibilities do we have as believers to support ethical practices when Christians consider sperm or egg donation?
How do we balance advancements in medicine with God’s sovereignty and moral design for creating life?