I understand when massive, dlc sized mods are monetized. Not when small ones are.
For example in minecraft, there was a mod with which you could pregenerate your world before making it. The creator decided to gut it and put all the good features behind his patreon.
I mean at the end of the day its the decision of the developer who put time in it.. if you're not happy with that look for another mod or code your own.
Sure I appreciate free mods but we shouldn't take them for granted.