The steward is accused of financial mismanagement, and his job is on the line. He is about to lose everything. In the ancient world, stewards had significant authority over their master's resources, but they were also expected to be trustworthy. This man, however, had failed in his duty. Rather than blaming and defending his innocence, he immediately starts to think. The dishonest steward doesn't waste time in denial or self-pity. He gets to work securing his future. The steward takes an honest look at himself - he doesn't have the strength for manual labour, and he has too much pride to beg. He is self-aware and proactive. Jesus isn't praising his dishonesty, but He is pointing out the steward's ability to think ahead. He acts with urgency, which is precisely what Jesus wants His listeners to do when it comes to matters of light and truth. Jesus highlights the astuteness of the dishonest steward. When it comes to us, Jesus is also recommending us not to be dishonest with our dealings, but to be shrewd with our dealings, especially when these dealings can lead to God.

We are those who have been given the light of the truth, and we are challenged by how we use this gift of astuteness. St Augustine wrote, "As a Christian, I will have to give an account of my life to God, and as a leader, I will have to give an account of my stewardship." May we grow in faithfulness, and be trustworthy and astute stewards as children of God.