蜜芽传媒

Today, as the World Economic Forum begins its annual meeting with over 3,000 business and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland our Prime Minister will also unveil her thinking on what Brexit could mean for Britain.

There鈥檚 nothing new about this concord between business and politics. The two have always been inseparable in all forms of government. Political parties and ideologies are differentiated by how they raise money and how they spend it. Political ideas are important, but like it or not, there is some truth in the claim that money makes the world go round.

But as politics becomes increasingly absorbed by international trade deals and complicated negotiations, we should never allow profitability to make people become invisible. Good international business deals should build coherent communities which benefits everyone.

Spiritual leaders have always had a love-hate relationship with business. As a comedian once said, 鈥淚f money talks, all it ever says to me is, 鈥楪oodbye!鈥� 鈥�

On occasions, business, rather than political rhetoric, has been crucial in creating new wealth and reducing extreme poverty in our emerging economies. It鈥檚 raised the profile of development and charitable giving. And if the new, most powerful man in the world promotes government by business, perhaps it鈥檚 the shape of things to come.

For Christians, even the Bible has some pretty positive things to say about good business deals, and industrious servants who trade on their talents to make a profit for the boss.

But it鈥檚 not the whole biblical response. Government is ultimately about people. Political activity and business deals are mere implements to deliver human flourishing. In biblical terms, good government is about justice, mercy and humility.

Today as always, business will be no more our salvation than our imperfect political systems.

Government by business may deliver a lot for many, but we mustn鈥檛 lose sight of the most. And our trade deals should never undermine our commitment to human rights or sacrifice the needs of the poor.

As events unfold in this historic week we do well to remember that good government is about people鈥檚 well being as well as good business deals and party politics.

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