Every system is either growing or dying.
As part of that system, you are either contributing to the growth of the system or the dying of the system.
Our planet, with everyone on it, is one big system. Are you helping humanity grow, or are you simply taking and contributing to the system dying?
Regardless of what level you are looking at, the perspective should be on how to add value. If you are adding value to the system you are helping it to grow. As the system grows, you grow with it.
Adding value is also a way of paying back those who added value before you.