You make a very good point.

However, some people would say despite the great suffering that some of us go through that ultimately, nothing matters. No matter the triumphs of humanity, a meteor could wipe it all out and there would be but a trace that we ever even existed.

Your point also implies that we have freewill, whereas others would suggest that we only have what appears to be freewill. Whether you help those in need or you don’t, your path is set.