How do we balance the needs of ourselves and our families with the needs of humanity?

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, we need to meet our own (family) needs before we can begin thinking about meeting the needs of humanity:

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs
"Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid, with the largest and most fundamental levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-actualization at the top.

The most fundamental and basic four layers of the pyramid contain what Maslow called "deficiency needs" or "d-needs": esteem, friendship and love, security, and physical needs. With the exception of the most fundamental (physiological) needs, if these "deficiency needs" are not met, the body gives no physical indication but the individual feels anxious and tense. Maslow's theory suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual will strongly desire (or focus motivation upon) the secondary or higher level needs. Maslow also coined the term Metamotivation to describe the motivation of people who go beyond the scope of the basic needs and strive for constant betterment.  Metamotivated people are driven by B-needs (Being Needs), instead of deficiency needs (D-Needs)." Read more