A reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller, “How much money is enough?” The world’s first billionaire gave his famous reply: “Just a little bit more.”
Rockefeller’s answer strikes a chord in every heart. There is something in us that, even if we were to be given a billion dollars, we would still say, “Just a little bit more.” Left to ourselves, we would never be able to say, “It is enough.”
Enough. When is anything ever enough? Can you say of yourself and your situation, “It is enough”?
The apostle Paul once used a word that combined the pronoun “self” with the verb “it is enough.” It made for the adjective “content” in a verse most Christians know well:
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(Philippians 4:11)
If etymology for this word means anything, I suppose it means that Paul, whatever his circumstances may have been, found something true of himself that gave him satisfaction, something that was enough. What may that have been?
The Strength of Christ Is Enough
In the immediate context, his contentment came from the strength of Christ to face anything in life. Whether his circumstances were terrible or terrific, Paul claimed, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13; cf. 4:12). A truth about himself was that he was in Christ, and his strength through Paul was enough.
Knowing Christ, His Righteousness, and the Resurrection Is Enough
Going beyond the immediate context, other passages from Paul show us that nothing else will ever be enough. Just a chapter earlier, Paul recalled how he once had a stellar position and reputation in the eyes of his society (Philippians 3:4–7). Though “gain” in one sense, Paul saw them as “loss” and even as “rubbish” or “dung” when compared to Christ, his righteousness, and the resurrection (Philippians 3:8–11). Accolades and approval were not enough. Only knowing Christ was enough. Only having his righteousness was enough. Only a future with him was enough. For Paul back then and for us today, nothing else will ever be enough.
Paul knew his life and future with Christ was enough. Take his word for it.
Going outside of Philippians, Paul knew what “enough” in heaven would be like. Remember that he previously spoke of having been “caught up to the third heaven . . . into paradise” where he “heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4). Putting this passage with Philippians 3 and 4 above, Paul’s approach to life was to live for Christ now, die, and then be with Christ forever—in a place that he had seen and experienced before. He had seen “enough” in heaven and was looking forward to a permanent return. It’s no wonder he could say, “For me to live is Christ, and to do die is again” (Philippians 1:21), and, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23).
So, again, when is anything ever enough? If you have a relationship with Christ, the righteousness of Christ, and will be called to life at the resurrection by Christ, it is enough. And if you have the resolve of Christ to live by his power to face whatever comes, it is enough. Don’t yearn for more when Christ is all you need. He is enough for you and me.
