In the Gospel of the day we hear of the shrewd steward who, realising that his master is terminating his services, curries favour with the master's debtors by downsizing their debts.
We easily blame the steward for being shrewd and dishonest. However, nothing is said about the debtors! If they were honest people, they would have turned down the offer of the steward or approached the master to confirm this deduction in their debt. Nothing of that is mentioned. I guess, they either believed that the master truly wrote off part of their debt or realised that the steward is mismanaging the master's account. Yet, they never backed out. They opted in. They chose to cheat rather than repay their due.
Another perspective the debtors should understand: The steward trying to win their favour by reducing their debt, will certainly approach them for a favour for himself sooner than later. Even if they did employ him once he was out of work, they would have to be extra careful because if the steward could betray his master, what guarantee that he would not repeat the same with them?
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