Putting aside the old adage that time is money, it's not about making things easier. In my own example I have to buy stuff to use in renders. Characters, hairs, clothing, poses, sets, lighting, shaders, etc. If it wasn't that, it'd be paying someone to do the artwork for me.
I don't know what this dev's situation is. Speaking only for myself I have a full time job where I put in 40 hours (sometimes 50-60 when necessary). So my game is worked on when I'm not at work. Though then there is family and such to take into account too.
It's easy to talk about committing time when it's someone else's time. Believe me, I follow a few games and wait impatiently for their releases. But ever since I started working on my own game I've gotten a real feel for how hard it is and how much time it truly takes.
People accuse devs of milking their patrons but don't take into account that these devs are often sacrificing what little free time they have to make these games and (with a rare few exceptions) are not making much off of them. Maybe enough to buy assets for the game and make a credit card payment or two.
