The influence of God's people is overall beneficial.

The good seed is 'wheat', verse 29.

How beneficial wheat is! Everyone has breakfasted upon it today in one form or another. Either as a cereal or toasted bread. The Prairies of Canada and the USA are known as the 'breadbasket' of the world because of the huge harvests of wheat they produce. In like manner the ways, the actions of godly people benefit mankind. Furthermore, Christ calls His people the "light" of the world; the "salt" of the earth. Both of these things benefit mankind.

One enlightens and the other preserves.

Paul illustrates the preserving power of the believer. Read - Acts 27:22-26.

"But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee," Acts 27:21-24.

Peter states the same truth. Read - 2 Peter 3:9. God is longsuffering toward a wicked world for the sake of His elect. He will bear with the world's sin until the last off His elect are saved in this age. Then judgment shall fall!