What's your interpretation the Shrewd Manager parable?

That is the sermon in my church last Sunday. The pastor admitted that it is challenging. Why is dishonesty commended? I didn't understand his sermon. But I think the manager gained the admiration of the debtors by reducing their debts even though he did it in hope to gain their favor which in turn did a favor to the reputation of the business owner.

It was not lawful to charge interest when lending to another Hebrew. They would get around this by signing a bill for an amount larger than they delivered. For example they might make a bill out for 100 cores of wheat, but only deliver 75. But then the full 100 would be required to be paid. What the steward did was have the people rewrite their bills for the correct amount that they actually owed. This was considered to be shrewd because it did not cost his master anything, and it gave favor to him in the eyes of the people he was dealing with.

A man steals from his master to curry favor with his masters debtors. The Master for some reason thinks this is a good thing. ??? A shrewd person is someone who invests and makes good on his investments. This guy isn't shrewd he is a criminal.

Theft and embezzlement is a crime. Then as now.

Parable /noun/ a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

Gee! Why didn't God just speak in simple human language?

Parables, allegories, and horseshit. God must be a game player.

Shrewd is good.

It simply means that shrewdness is good.