In Nairobi, Kenya, hundreds of thousands of people live in disease-ridden slums consisting of shacks cobbled together from wood scraps and plastic wrap. These shanties are propped against one another upon acres of dust, which becomes mud when it rains. Open trenches, where human excrement floats in stagnant water, crisscross the terrain.

Between 1995 and 1998 my wife and I did youth work in Kenya. During that time, about 70 percent of the population was unemployed and the average person's annual salary was about $400. A man might earn the equivalent of $3 to lay asphalt for 12 hours. With such low incomes, a Kenyan might own the clothes on his back and some house wares, but little more.

The poverty and suffering in Kenya and in other parts of the Third World are striking to American visitors. But what might be most shocking to Americans is witnessing the exuberant joy Kenyans express, despite the difficult circumstances. Kenyans exhibit a love for one another and a zest for life that's envious. It's almost become cliché for American Christians to return from trips to the Third World, saying in amazement: The people are so poor, they have nothing — and yet they have such joy, they seem so happy!

This stock phrase reveals more about the United States — and Christianity in America — than it does about poor people in the Third World. It exposes a Godless assumption: We think a person can't experience joy without money and the things it brings. Our materialism is so ingrained — even in our faith — that we stare in pity and wonderment at people whose happiness isn't dependent on cash, entertainment and lotsa-lotsa stuff. The love of money, the stuff it buys, and the consumer attitudes it begets have become part of our cultural DNA. Our devotion to such pursuits marks them as American idols. Pursuing them separates us from God and is the antithesis of the Bible's teaching.

In America, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are hallmarks of our Declaration of Independence and society. So what does it mean to pursue happiness? If MTV, Access Hollywood, People magazine, or the latest catalogs are any indicator, we base our happiness on amassing pleasures and products — and this requires money. Pursuing happiness becomes an effort in earning and spending. This should create conflict for American Christians. Our government provides us freedom to chase personal pleasures, but we have a higher calling. In obedience to Jesus' teachings, Christians are to submit their lives to God, who does not promise happiness or riches. In fact, Jesus said his followers would be hated and persecuted because of their faith. And in Matthew 16, Jesus said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"

Other New Testament verses make it clear that loving money or possessions is contrary to Christianity. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." The author of Hebrews says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

Contrast the Bible's commands about money with today's American Christianity. Many of us, myself included, frequently bemoan our financial position. Somehow, it seems we should earn more and spend more to gain more. When we don't earn, spend or gain, we feel a nagging discontent, a lack of appreciation for what God has provided. I think we're further confused by some of our respected Christian leaders, who earn large salaries — hundreds of thousands of dollars annually — to serve God in full time ministry. When American Christian leaders allocate money donated for ministry to their hefty salaries, is it any wonder their followers see virtue in a large payday?

Some people have the perception that college students are so idealistic they aren't seduced by money. But according to UCLA's 2003 American Freshman Survey — which included more than 260,000 students at 413 colleges and universities — today's freshmen blow that myth away. According to a Jan. 26 L.A. Times about the survey's findings, 78 percent of college freshmen polled — the highest percentage in 13 years — said it's important to be "very well off financially." A record low percentage, fewer than 40 percent, said it's very important or essential to "develop a meaningful philosophy of life." A student from the University of Southern California, Dustin Grant, 19, told the L.A. Times that he felt the survey was accurate. Grant said that the high cost of college fuels materialism. "This is a major investment — like 40,000 bucks a year," Grant said. "When you're putting so much in, you're going to expect to get something out of it."

The sick thing about our materialism is that we often can't see it — probably because we compare ourselves (perhaps subconsciously) to the manufactured lifestyles spoon fed to us by the media. Or, we compare ourselves to our friends who have more than we do, but not less. I experienced an interesting contrast in comparisons when I lived in Kenya. One time, I cleaned out my closet to rid myself of my old flip-flops, faded shorts and T-shirts. I gave the clothing to a missionary friend so he could deliver it as an anonymous gift to some of our Kenyan friends. About a week later, I attended a Bible study with a group of the same Kenyans. Three of the guys in attendance were proudly outfitted in my cast-off clothing. As I saw how pleased they were to have "new" clothes, I was suddenly startled. Then I felt ashamed. I had known their need, but only gave my unwanted clothing to make room in my closet for newer clothes. Materialism motivated even my generosity.

The subversive paradox of materialism is that it might be a primary cause of unhappiness in America, according to author Barry Schwartz, a professor at Swarthmore College. Schwartz wrote in Parade magazine that the American "happiness quotient" has consistently declined for more than a generation. "In the last 30 years — a time of great prosperity — the proportion of the population describing itself as 'very happy' has declined," Schwartz wrote. The decline was about 5 percent, which translates into 14 million Americans. Schwartz said the "happiness quotient" has decreased because of an abundance of choices and a consumer attitude that pervades our lives. The expectations of Americans have increased due to the abundance of consumer choices, Schwartz said. Therefore, we believe we should find the perfect job, buy the perfect item and marry the perfect spouse. And we feel dissatisfaction when we fail in these efforts.

Sometimes, this consumerism can branch out and create chaos in other aspects of our lives. I know people who have treated dating and marriage like it's an excursion to the auto mall. They identify the "specs" they desire in a spouse, and then search the market, rejecting anyone who doesn't fit their expectations. Consumerism hampered my spiritual life for two years, as I became a finicky church shopper.

In America, the love of money is a pervading cultural influence that turns people into consumer-minded materialists. This puts Christians in a position that's contrary to the tenets of our faith. I'm not saying Christians can't be wealthy, but we should pursue God foremost. Then we'll be good stewards of any wealth He provides. I'm also not suggesting that Christians shouldn't be happy. Followers of Christ have a never-ending reservoir of joy and hope because we know that our sins have been forgiven. We're reconciled with God, and this brings joy and happiness.

Let's be careful to prevent our American "pursuit of happiness" from becoming a culturally ingrained excuse to strive for all the happiness cash can buy. Jesus said it's impossible to serve both God and money. It's time we clear the idols from our lives, abandon the pursuit of happiness and focus on pursuing God.