In recent years, the day after Thanksgiving has taken on a life of its own with the introduction of Black Friday. Shoppers rush stores to get the best deals on high-cost gadgets in preparation for Christmas Day. While there’s nothing wrong with looking for a sale, we should be mindful in this season — and throughout every season — of those who are less fortunate. Instead of dreaming up a long list of stuff to buy, meditate on these Scriptures today:

2 Corinthians 9:6,7 — Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Luke 6:38 — Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Psalm 119:36 — Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

Proverbs 11:24 — One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Proverbs 3:27 — Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

James 2:16,17 — If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Luke 21:1-4 — As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”