All the open source software that we can already use for free is a big reward. The funny thing is this reward was already provided to us. So contributing to open source software could be though of as our payment for that reward.
The fixed bug or feature itself is a reward. And that you just need to code that feature instead of having to write your own complete clone of that software just to add one extra little feature. And just like that you have added your little brick to some amazing tool which you can say you helped build.
If you are exploring the prospect of contributing, then a good way for you to be motivated is to find some software you use often, but which you personally would like some feature or bug fixed.
The fixed bug or feature itself is a reward. And that you just need to code that feature instead of having to write your own complete clone of that software just to add one extra little feature. And just like that you have added your little brick to some amazing tool which you can say you helped build.
If you are exploring the prospect of contributing, then a good way for you to be motivated is to find some software you use often, but which you personally would like some feature or bug fixed.