Maslow has appropriately answered your question in 1943. Human motivations start from the base of the pyramid and go up as long as the base necessities are met.

Buddha answered your question over 2000 years ago. His motivation was Mokshya.

In the universe there are two kinds of science, one is materialistic science and one is spiritual science.

Material science creates cars, refrigerators and weapons of mass destruction. Spiritual science creates a harmonious connection between the living things in the planet. A balance of a development of both the sciences would have been ideal scenario for this world but unfortunately spiritual science development has been suppressed.

Our motivations should be guided by progress on one hand and understanding of where we stand on the other hand. More than often we forget to understand or care about the ecosystem where we all live.

Sorry for intentional rambling.