By Bobby Dye
I believe the way you were raised has a direct influence on how you view money and manage your finances as an adult. As a matter of fact, what you are taught about finances comes from the influence of not just one generation but multiple generations.
My dad, who grew up during the Great Depression, was one of eight children. His entire family worked in the fields as sharecroppers and earned little to no money. How did they survive? What kept them going? The answer: my grandmother and her relationship with the Lord.
My grandmother knew to place her complete faith in God, not in the things of this world. She kept the value of money in perspective. She didn’t let her family’s lack of money define who they were. They were proud of the Dye name and never thought to feel sorry for themselves.
My grandmother was able to manage what little resources they had in a way to not only take care of her family but to help others in the community who were less fortunate. Because of her Christian values, she viewed her ability to give as a blessing, not a burden or even a responsibility. She was simply doing what the Bible calls all of us to do as followers of Christ.
When it came to my own life, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do as a profession, but I did know I wanted to impact people’s lives in a positive way like my grandmother had. With my dad’s guidance and encouragement and prayers of my own, I decided to pursue a career in finance.
At my first out-of-town sales conference, I found myself alone in a hotel room and second-guessing my career decision because I had quickly seen firsthand how greedy people can be. What had I gotten myself into? Would I look foolish for quitting so soon?
I opened my Bible, and the Lord led me to Psalm 37, specifically the first three verses: “Never envy the wicked! Soon they fade away like grass and disappear. Trust the Lord instead. Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety!”
Those verses reaffirmed the career path I had chosen, and that was 43 years ago. It hasn’t always been easy, but the Lord has blessed me immensely over the years, and I have done my best to be a good steward of the gifts He has given to me and my family, just like my grandmother did.
Bobby became a financial advisor in 1981 and has lived in the Jackson area for close to 50 years. He and his wife, Darnell, along with their dog, Molly, currently live in Madison. They have two children: Laura (Andrew) is an interior designer, and Gary (Shelby) joined the family business in 2018. Bobby’s first book, “Remember Who You Are: How Family Values Can Influence Your Financial Goals,” was published in late 2023 and can be purchased on Amazon.
