This statement can degrade those people who are doing freelancing just to earn profit using their hobbies and skills. It can make them become discouraged in continuing those things that can make them have something in their plate. All jobs are honorable even freelancing as long as you are not violating laws, or as long as you are not ruining other people's lives.
There are also people who do part-time trading, and not a full-time trading, and it depends on them. So what's the difference between part-time trading and freelancing? It is a matter of fact that they are both good as a source of profit or income. If you are good at trading then do it, if you are good at freelancing then also do it.