One of the most confusing and challenging New Testament parables is the story of the so-called "Dishonest Steward" in Luke 16:1-9. Few parables have been subject to such a myriad of interpretations - all attempts to harmonize the story's surprising end with our traditional moral expectations. The problem remains that after painting the steward with the brush of questionable ethics and untrustworthy behavior, this story concludes with words of praise for the master's fiscal manager.

The parable starts traditionally enough. It is cast in the middle of a series of parables and stories Jesus tells his disciples, narratives that occur here in Luke but not in the other Gospels. Interestingly, this rarely heard story follows on the heels of one of the most beloved and often repeated parables - th…