I agree!!! WTF is going on in here?!!
The answer you got was definitely not cool
Dude, you need to chill a little bit. You want to give him a straight answer (whether or not he'll be able to attend the meet without money)?
Appropriate answers would be
* yeah, sure, we'll squeeze you in, although if you can find $5.00 in your pockets before coming, it'd be much appreciated.
* No, sorry, we're just too broke, can't afford to put this event together without everybody chipping in
* Sorry, no can do, but watch for future events which will not require any money upfront
Otherwise, leave him (her) alone. I don't like the tone here. Sounds like "meet me in the alley"

definitely not appropriate in this forum, OK?