Yaw, banking, faith and stewardship

Yaw is a banker who married into Methodism and became a steward at Castle Street, Cambridge.

I work in banking and advise on UK, EU and US regulations across financial and capital markets. Some may think of finance as a not particularly God-centered career. Yes, we are there to make profit, but banks also care about their customers, and that is why I chose to work in banking. The bank I work for plays a meaningful role in people’s lives: safeguarding their money, helping families buy homes, supporting businesses that create jobs, and keeping the wider economy moving. When the bank makes profit, the taxes we pay strengthen public services and help support those who cannot work. In that sense, the work is not just commercially valuable but socially meaningful.

I believe God wants everyone to live comfortably with dignity and the Bible shows this again and again. The people we read about always had needs yet God consistently provided what was required for them and their families They always had enough to look after their families.

While money is important, too much of anything is bad as it can take your mind away from God.

In one of Paul's letters, he was talking about how to work, as if you're working for God. Everything I do as a Christian, I ensure that I'm doing my best knowing that my effort is an offering to God.

My job can be intense, with constant demands coming from both inside and outside the organisation. That pressure makes faith not just helpful, but essential.

When people are relying on your judgement and you cannot afford to get things wrong, you need God’s guidance. I depend on the Holy Spirit to give me clarity and direction in the decisions I make.

I'm a steward at Castle Street. I really enjoy it - I wish I could do even more. I've volunteered for the church in different ways since I was a child.

I tend to forget about my work when I come to church. Talk to anyone, whether they're professionals or not but being a Christian makes us equal. Whatever jacket we wear in the world, we take it off before God.

They were all equal in the Bible. We are all equal in God’s eyes as human beings, created in His image and carrying His likeness and dignity.