How can we NOT respond?

We live in a world that is directly contrary to everything we believe and hold dear.  The Christian faith is about denying yourself, taking up your cross, following Christ, loving God and loving neighbor.  The church gives us tools to succeed at these things, by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
But the world is all about being rich, being comfortable and putting yourself first.
So my question is this: when we live in the world, these two foci are in direct opposition.  We have to respond.  What are we going to do? And who do we talk to about how successful we are in responding the right way?
We had better think through this situation and have a good answer.  For we will have to answer, at the final judgment.