When my mother and I came to Nevada in 1971, we were 2 single women raising my daughters aged 4 and 8. Living expenses were higher and wages much lower than what we had left in California. We had been attending a Methodist Church in California so here we joined & attended Sparks UMC.
During the first financial drive after joining Sparks Church, I decided to take God at his word and began to set aside a specific amount from each pay check for the offering. He has promised that if we put him first, we will always have enough for our own needs as well as plenty to give, both to our church as well as others in need. It was not a tithing amount back then but it was the amount I had pledged. My offering became the first check I write each payday, and I do it with a joyful and willing heart because God loves a cheerful giver. Giving from the 1st fruits instead of the leftovers made a big difference in my attitude toward giving. It never felt like a sacrifice or budget buster.
Things have not always been easy and in those early years there were few extras, but there was always enough. There were times when I felt to broke to pay attention, but there was always enough. Most of the time we were even able to contribute a little to the special offerings that were taken throughout the year. True to his word, God took care of us. Whenever a situation arose for which extra money was needed, it was always there. Things like the need for auto repairs or tires always seemed to wait for a month with an extra payday. About the time we needed to replace an appliance, someone we knew would be upgrading theirs and offer us the used one.
After that 1st pledge, each time I got a raise, I increased my giving by the same percentage & added another dollar or two. Eventually, over time, the amount increased until it did become a full tithing.