Grandma always paid tithing first, no matter what. Maybe Grandpa can share a comment about how he and Grandma gained a testimony of tithing. What I know is that they always paid it, even when they didn't know how they would pay the rest of the bills.
When Holly was born, she spent a lot of time in the hospital and had many surgeries. She was an expensive baby, and well worth every single penny. I remember one month, Grandma didn't know how she would pay all the bills. There just didn't seem to be enough money. She paid her tithing first and left the rest to the Lord. A short time later, she and Grandpa received a check in the mail from the Navy. Apparently, they owed him some money that he didn't know about. Heavenly Father inspired the Navy to pay that money just when it was needed most. Grandpa can correct me if I have the details confused.
Because of Grandma's example and teachings, I believe that all of her children pay their tithing faithfully (if any of you don't, consider this a call to repentance). Grandma's answer to financial situations we may have been in or questions we may have had: "Pay your tithing and you'll be just fine." As we have paid our tithing, we have always been just fine. We have never gone without the things that we need, and even much of what we want. Heavenly Father has always poured out his blessings on us."Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings...Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
--Malachi 3:8, 10
