This is how Jesus described the callous condition of people’s hearts in the days before His return. In a related passage, the apostle Paul writes,

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

2 Timothy 3:1–4.

Selfishness and cold-heartedness seem to be prevalent almost everywhere we look. The British Press Authority reflects what’s occurring in most countries:

Britain is in moral decline as people become more selfish and less public-spirited, according to a [recent] survey.

The country is less law-abiding than it was 10 years ago, according to 77 percent of people questioned in a Gallup social survey, while 65 percent said the sense of morality was weaker.

People were also “less likely to get involved” than they were 10 years ago, according to 70 percent, while 72 percent thought the country was becoming more selfish.

Rowan Dore, Press Authority (PA—A British wire service), 5 Nov 1994.