One should ask why it took Fred gambling their savings away before Lamont thought about taking out a second mortgage to save The Sanford Arms. Lamont could have done this from the get-go instead of initially giving up all hope as he was basically doing up until then.
When Fred gives Esther money for her church, he folds a remaining bill or two and puts it back in his pocket. However, a few minutes later, he tells Lamont that he only has $0.35 left in his pocket