I've been thinking about the idea of putting Jesus first but I'm reluctant to give a substantial offering... at the moment I might give 1% at the very most. I am struggling financially and my wife helps support me. I try to minimize my expenses. Is it possible to be saved while only giving about 1% or less? I guess you can only serve one master.
The best person to get a correct answer to this question, would be Jesus. Of course, the Bible expounds on his answer, since they are in agreement.
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4
I hope that answer is clear for you.
Under the Mosaic law, tithing was done in behalf of the priesthood - The Levites did not have an inheritance - as well as the needy.
Deuteronomy 26:12
When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
Numbers 18:20-30; Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 27:30-32
Christians are not bounded by the Mosaic Law, and that arrangement is not given to them.
Tithing is not a requirement for Christians.
That does not mean that the principle is not applied.
Christians care about the orphans and widows, and the less fortunate among them, as well as those who offer themselves to serve God self-sacrificingly, and so, they give voluntarily to support these.
God is pleased with this kind of generous giving. 2 Corinthians 8:12-15; 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7
So, all God requires of you, is that you give of your best, voluntarily, and willingly from the heart, whatever you so desire.
God does not stipulate how much you should give.
I think it is good that you want to show appreciation.
There are many, who are intimidated by the baskets passed in the churches, and I can't blame them.
Where is the money going, and what is it being used for?, some wonder.