Shrewd Manager - Chapter 2

Well, yesterday we tried to sort through some of the possible interpretations of the parable of the Shrewd Manager, which can be read here. Today, I'd like to focus on verses 8:

8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

This begs the question: was Jesus advocating dishonesty? He says that the master commended the dishonest manager. Is this parable, like others, drawing a parallel between the manager and God?

I don't think so, and here are some reasons:
1. God is holy and cannot operate outside His holiness. (easy, stock answer)
2. The second part of verse 8 shows the reason told the parable. It was clearly not to draw a parallel, but a comparison. I believe He is saying that we need to be faithful (shrewd?) in our management. He illustrates that in some ways, the world is more faithful in their affairs than the church is in the affairs of the Kingdom.

Tomorrow, we will deal with the equally difficult verse 9. Any comments?