Book Title: Champions
Author: Charles Mwewa
Publisher and Year: Africa in Canada Press (ACP), 2022
Get Your Copy: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1988251346
Reviewer: Stephen Misori
Charles Mwewa is an advocate based in Canada, a motivational speaker, a poet, and an author.
With over 50 titles to his name, he has raided every genre with well-researched and soul-searching books, which have remained the darling of not only the continent of Africa but the West as well.
In his writing career spanning over 15 years, the Zambia-born scholar has never shied away from expressing his inner belief through art.
Champions, one of his masterpieces, is a self-revealing book for those who look forward to becoming champions in their own rights, excelling in diverse fields, winning in this present world, and finally being welcomed with both joy and admiration in the next world.
In reading this book, one interacts with vivid and practical life stories lifted both from the realities of this life, and Jesus’ teachings told in the Bible.
The book, which borrows greatly from the Holy Book in describing the Bible as the revelation of revelations, highlights a range of hidden wisdom nuggets and intelligent references through songs, wisdom, allegories, metaphors, tales, skirmishes, struggles, and confrontations.
In the first chapter, Mwewa traces the life and times of the rich man and Lazarus.
Mwewa uses a hidden gem in the Bible to justify that status or position on earth has no bearing on the eternal foundation.
He says in the first chapter, “If we believed in God, no matter our station in life (rich or poor), we would be welcomed in God’s eternal bliss.”
He explains in the book that the rich man never went to hell because he was rich but because he failed to appreciate the uniqueness of God through repentance.
He follows his argument with the assertion that Lazarus, too, did not go to heaven because he was poor, but because he believed in God.
The author establishes that God does not discriminate against the rich or the poor; He loves both the rich and the poor.
He adds that none should fear owning wealth due to the rich man’s experience in the Bible.
Instead, the author advises the rich to enjoy the luxuries of this world, such as good houses, good cars, flamboyant parties, and a luxurious living.
Champions in the very chapter explains that “God Himself lives in unexplained splendor and glory in Heaven.”
The underlying concept is that God never limits anyone and gives everyone the space to do the desires of their heart.
In the second chapter, Mwewa gives a clear illustration of how God has given everyone something basic they can develop.
The author, again, proves in this chapter that God does not expect to tell you what to do with what He has given you.
This book comes at a time when Africa continues to lag in development even as minerals and human capital dwell within its territories.
The author, in this masterpiece, gives the clearest indication that God has no interest in asking Africa which way to go about development.
Mwewa derives this thought from the Bible when he says, “The story of the talents is well illustrated in Mathew 25:29. In the passage in Mathew 25, three people are given three talents: one five sets of gold, another two sets of gold and still another one set.”
Champions alludes that everyone is given a talent according to their ability.
The author underscores the value of talents and clarifies that everyone should embrace the rare potential in them.
The book details that God never wants people to die raw but rather to die bigger, greater, more prosperous, and accomplished.
He writes, “No one is born to decrease; people are born to increase.” The book, in this regard, reminds Africa, by extension, to improve herself, sharpen her mind, and edify her spirit.
Champions promotes the growth of outlook through connecting more with people, communicating more, and exposing oneself more.
The author expresses this when he says, “In other words, do something not to die basic, empty and a nobody.”
Mwewa advocates for individual development through studies in order to show approval to authorities.
However, he says knowledge is not only about colleges and universities.
According to the prolific author, one can teach oneself by observing nature and human behavior.
Champions refers to all humanity as the business of God since God says in Isaiah 66: 1, “Thus says the LORD, Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool of my feet.”
He suggests in the subsequent chapters that a footstool is the place where the mortals bow or kneel to worship the deity.
He advances this position when he writes, “Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is He!”
The very idea in this chapter is that human beings should be humble and respect those they interact with since there is God in Heaven who is in charge of everyone.
Mwewa, in Champions, refers to the heavens as the relative of the earth, and in terms of position, the earth is very low—only fit for lowliness and for God’s enemies.
He, therefore, advocates for people to practice humility in order to dine with God in Heaven.
In so doing, even the earth would be a better place to live in. He justifies this when he writes, “Anyone who is out of Christ is at the bottom of the elevation and is susceptible to this world’s system and to the devil.”
He encourages everyone to profess God since “Anyone who is rich in worldly things only or whose interest is only in worldly things, has a temporary existence, limited joy, and no real power and authority.”
As an inspiration, Champions stresses that whoever is in Christ is, by way of position, elevated in the heavenly realms where Christ is also seated.
Mwewa says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…”
In Chapter 5 of the book, the author traces Jesus’ teaching on the acquisition of wealth.
According to Mwewa, Jesus revealed two ways in which people normally get wealth and money.
He says, “We either worship someone important and powerful and in turn they reward us with wealth. Or we serve (render a service) someone with means and in turn they pay us a salary or we make profit in business.”
This understanding tends to be communicating to Africans who worship the rich in order to access wealth.
The author reminds Africans that riches can still be accessed through very clean ways, such as through worshipping God.
According to the author, the true measure of riches and wealth from God is that it is harmless—it adds no pain or sorrow. Mwewa closes the chapter by saying, “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”
Chapter 6 addresses the issue of gift and other related dynamics. The writer pleads with everyone to give from the heart because a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
He says the world has no room for normal, invisible people. Mwewa explains that in this world, there are people who have more of something—money, power, influence, and connections.
These great people are normally hard to interact with based on the titles they hold and the security that surrounds them at all times.
Champions stresses, in chapter 6, that great people are not gods and they may not always give us everything we need.
In real life, the book warns leaders who use their positions to intimidate their subjects.
He challenges everyone to make money-making a priority since there is an urgent need for money to exchange anything of value.
He teaches that everyone needs to spend according to their income.
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In chapter 7, the author writes, “If you make less money, do not desire things of more value than the money you have or make.” By this, he practically teaches self-discipline.
