Definitely makes sense - if you max your 401(k) too soon, you could lose out when they reinstate the matching program.
Also, I could be wrong about this, but I think the IRS checks for fairness in 401(k) plans. It's probably very rare they take action, but I think if only people at the top contribute, and the rest of the company doesn't, the company's 401(k) plan might get some unwelcome scrutiny from the IRS.
I could be wrong about that: I'm not an attorney, just a layperson who read about it.