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 “loss” and even as “rubbish” or “dung” when compared to knowing Christ, His righteousness, and one day making it to the resurrection from the dead (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 us today, nothing else will ever be enough.