Recently I was reading a book that was talking about the nature of giving from God's perspective.  It was all good, included information I had heard before, but was good to hear again nonetheless.  And of course it mentioned the famous passage in 2 Corinthians 9:7.

<em>Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.</em>

The primary message I've always taken away from this verse, and the materials that talk about it, it that God loves a giver.  God loves it when we give because we're doing the work of the kingdom.  Giving is a necessary component and if I'm giving, God is happy with me.

But something struck me this morning as I was reading it again.  What if I had missed that God's primary motivation is not the money, but my happiness.  God loves me to be in good cheer.  God is interested in my happiness, and doesn't want me to give unless I'm happy about it.

That hit me like a ton of bricks.  When I'm a giver, I feel like I'm performing a duty.  But when I'm cheerful, I feel like God is deeper interested in what I care about.  And that makes we want to give.