One of the more challenging of Jesus' parables is the parable of the dishonest steward in Chapter 16 of St Luke's Gospel. The steward/manager of a large estate has been detected by his master, the landowner of the estate, of engaging in dishonest conduct. The steward's dismissal is imminent.
He casts around to find a new appointment, a substitute for his present employment and one that will keep him in the luxury to which he is accustomed. He hits upon a strategy. He approaches his master's debtors and suggests that, instead of paying the full amount of their debts, they should submit only a partial repayment, 50 per cent in one instance, 80 per cent in another.
This, of course, will only further aggravate his master, the landowner, but since the steward is already immediately destined to be dismissed, this further aggravation may only have the comparatively minor effect of hastening his dismissal. On the other hand, however, this strategy may benefit the dishonest steward. The debtors will be delighted to have their debts reduced by the steward, and this may induce them to give the steward a new appointment.
Even though the strategy of debt reduction has further defrauded his current master, it may have ingratiated the steward with a possible further employer. At the end of the parable Jesus draws the lesson. Surprisingly, he commends the steward – not, indeed, for his manifest and persisting dishonesty – but for his astuteness, for digging himself out of the prospect of.