The Habit That Almost Destroyed Her

At one time, her faith and family were the most important things in Maxi Chamber’s life. She was an elected city council member, business owner, and an outspoken witness for Christ. But one day she won a simple game of bingo.

Since she and her husband David were having some financial problems, the $500 enabled them to pay some bills. She didn’t realize that gambling was wrong and had never heard a sermon about it. 1John W. Kennedy, “Gambling Away the Golden Years,” Christianity Today, May 24, 1999, 42.

2John W. Kennedy, “Gambling Away the Golden Years,” Christianity Today, May 24, 1999, 43. Over the course of a year, what began as a once-a-week activity developed into an every-night habit. Soon she was betting a hundred dollars here, and two hundred there.

David grew ashamed and hurt, but Maxi couldn’t stop. She began frequenting a nearby Indian reservation casino, and on every trip to the grocery store she would spend twenty or thirty dollars on lottery tickets. The children grew distant and depressed, and David grew increasingly angry. Because Maxi was gambling away the money needed for necessities, the family went without new shoes, clothes, or food.

Two years into her gambling, Maxi began to feel suicidal. She cried constantly, seldom slept, and began taking tranquilizers and antidepressants. Her losses became greater, and she began writing checks for much more than was in her account. She took out a loan, forging her husband’s name, to cover her losses.

Finally she lost the last of her last borrowed $10,000 at a casino table, and as she turned away the dealer shouted, “Better luck next time!” But Maxi’s luck was gone, and as she drove home she cried out to God for help.

The next morning she cleaned the house of anything that suggested gambling, and, sitting down with her checkbook, she totaled up her damages. At length, she had to confess to David. “David,” she said, “I have something to tell you.”

His body tensed. “You have every reason to divorce me,” she continued.

“No one would have put up with what you’ve endured over the last three years. There are no excuses for what I’m about to tell you.” David wrapped his arms around Maxi, and they sobbed together. But the injuries were too great, and the couple divorced with the three sons choosing to live with their father.

Slowly Maxi Chambers is rebuilding her life, reading the Scriptures and staying close to the Lord and to her church. And she has a mission in life now-to warn everyone she can of the subtle dangers of the habit that almost destroyed her.