One thing I like about it myself as I am looking into it is you tie up the wealth and you are therefore less likely to up your lifestyle as you get wealthier. On the other hand a well paid job may encourage one to spend more. Let alone tax considerations. Not sure about USA but in Australia the tax system is ludicrously in favour of investing and particularly in real estate.

I don't know if a lot of programmers become millionaires from freelancing (or worse yet, employed by somebody).