The parable of the Dishonest Steward is problematic on two counts: one, the title itself is misleading; the other, in the last verse in which the master commends the dishonest steward (v 8).

The steward squanders his master’s property. This is a grave offense against his master. And the steward knows the consequences. He will be laid off. So, he devises a contingency plan for his survival. He endears himself to the debtors of his master by writing off his “commission.” Thus, he builds up a fountain of good will. He is commended by his master for acting prudently (or cleverly or shrewdly). The title should be “The parable of the Dishonest Steward Who Turned Honest.”

We, disciples of Christ, can be likened to the dishonest steward for being irresponsible, squandering what has been entrusted to us. But if we make reparations for the injustices we have committed, God will commend us, too.

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”