This essay explores one of Jesus' parables, arguably his most complex: that of the dishonest steward. The emphasis here is on the charges against the steward. The facts that only Luke includes this parable and that he uses a verb found only here to express the steward's supposed wrongdoing raise pivotal questions. What motivates those who have brought the charges? What choices for defending and protecting himself does the steward consider? Does the owner's call for accountability preserve his reputation of honor? Complex relationships existed between owners, stewards, and tenants in Roman-occupied agrarian settings. The probability that the steward is irresponsible or derelict in his duties rather than guilty of immoral or criminal actions significantly affects how other elements of this parable are understood.
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