The fight for salvation

We just watched 60 Minutes from Christmas. It was the episode on Mt. Athos.I've very rarely seen such selfishness.They lock themselves up and pray for their own salvation.They fight for salvation. Their own salvation.It is covered by gold. It seems the opposite of what they are preaching."We prepare for death each day." We are buying our ticket by working here.Isn't the purpose to make the world a better place? Not just one's self?