The parable of the Unjust Steward comes between the stories of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:19-33) and the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). These teach about squandering resources and sharing wealth. Today’s parable is very unusual because it seems to be praising dishonesty, its irony obviously meant to startle us into serious reflection.
The steward seems to have gone to the dark side from the day one, in that he was wasting his master’s property and very likely cheating him as well. Leopards do not change their spots! However, he is a resourceful man and he has no intention of inconveniencing himself. We might wonder how the servants had run up such big debts. Was it a case of “I owe my soul to the company store” (Merle Travis)?
John Bunyan, in his Pilgrim’s Progress, depicts the dilemma of a Christian in choosing the right path. Christian has to choose between the allegorical figure of Evangelist, who points the way to salvation through the wicket gate (which is fraught with danger) and the smug advice of Mr Worldly Wise, another allegorical figure, who directs him to take easier options.
The point of today’s parable would seem to be that the steward and those like them know how to get on in the world. Those who want to follow Christ, like Christian, have to realise that discipleship involves carrying the cross, using God’s gifts wisely and making use of them for the benefit of others. They need to have the same energy and acumen as the Unjust Steward.
“He who would valiant be 'gainst all disaster, let him in constancy follow the Master.” (John Bunyan)