Rick Warren Exposes His Congregation to the False Financial Teaching of Robert Morris

"Just from a business point of view, that's a good deal for 10%, to have God rebuking the devil for you....God is saying 'Listen, you're living in this cursed financial system, I would like to redeem your finances, protect your finances, from this world's system. The only way I can do it, though, is if you will recognize me first every time you get paid. If you will give me the tithe, I will redeem the rest of your finances out from under the curse.' " Robert Morris at Saddleback Church
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As we begin to look at "Slacking Shepherds", let's consider that a Southern Baptist Church mega church pastor, Rick Warren, has exposed his congregation to a man who preaches a false prosperity gospel that is non-biblical, and just plain stupid and nonsensical.

Yes, thanks to Rick Warren, Pastor Robert Morris' heretical teachings on tithing and blessings and curses have now made inroads into the Southern Baptist Convention at Saddleback Church.

Robert preached the very same sermon at Saddleback that he preached at Perry Noble's NewSpring Church in May 2011, that I blogged about here. Robert Morris' sermon "The Principles of Multiplication" uses the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes from Luke 9 to tell Christians they need to "redeem" their income by giving their first 10% of their income to their church. Robert says you can actually buy God's protection for 10%, and calls it a "good business deal".

From the quote at the top of this post, you'll see that according to Robert, God's ability to bless you and protect you is dependent upon YOU being able to give 10% of your income! Yes, God is all-powerful, and he actually WANTS to protect you, but he absolutely cannot unless you give 10% of your money to a local church. If you can't give 10%, you're cursed and out from under God's protection.

And if you give your 10% to your church, Jesus is there to accept it, and will bless it. Robert says:

"Here's what the bible says: when you give the first 10%, the tithe of your income, to the church, Jesus himself receives our tithe and blesses it."

The Bible never, ever says that. Not even close. We all know that the ushers receive our offerings at the church, not Jesus. The counters count it, and the church leaders under the direction of the pastor spend it mostly on buildings and salaries. Jesus doesn't receive it, and those who do receive it don't spend it on what Jesus would have spent it on had he actually received it. Just trying to keep it real here, folks.

As I said, his message is non-biblical, he says the bible says what it does not say, and you have to check your brains at the church door to actually hear his teaching and not burst out laughing hysterically.

But we know what Robert teaches, he has taught it before.

The question before us is: why would Rick Warren, a Southern Baptist preacher, the godfather of the modern contemporary worship movement, invite this man in to preach this at his church?

Does Rick Warren believe this same doctrine? He can't say he didn't know that Morris was going to preach this, because this is the SAME sermon Morris preaches when out on the preaching circuit. Warren exposed his sheep to false financial teachings. Why? And if he doesn't believe it, shouldn't he publicly correct Robert Morris so his people aren't led astray? Isn't that the role, the job description, of a pastor in Titus?

Didn't Rick Warren know that Robert Morris earlier this year invited Creflo Dollar, the king of health and wealth prosperity false gospel, to preach in his church? That should tell you all you need to know about what Robert Morris believes.

Lastly, here is an advertisement at Warren's church on the website this week:

How sad that under the auspices of trying to help people with their finances in these difficult days, Rick Warren exposes people to the false teachings of Morris, that if implemented could spell financial disaster for a family. And guess who is next on the list, this coming Sunday in this financial series? Dave Ramsey. Placing Morris in the same lineup in a financial seminar as Dave Ramsey is like holding a "Secrets to a Happy Marriage" seminar with Liz Taylor and Laura Bush speaking. Does Dave Ramsey endorse the nonsense of Robert Morris? Why would Dave Ramsey want to associate himself with such financial nonsense as Robert Morris'? We know the answers to all of these questions, don't we?

Watch out, church members. Investigate who it is that your pastor is inviting in to speak at your church.

The wolves may be at the door, waiting to come in, with no shepherd willing to protect the flock.