What did the biographer of godric and ibn khaldun see as valuable in mercantile activity?

Godric was a wealthy merchant who devoted his life to serving God. He showed that a man could serve God better by use of the fortunes he acquired to do Gods work. He later became Saint Godric. Mercantilism stated that the power of a nation was based on wealth which required accumulation of valuable commodities and a balance of trade.
Ibn Khaldun was a great Muslim historian who in 1375 wrote that all civilizations rise, grow then fall and also studied the effect on geography and climate on people.

Thomas edison created the light bulb.