Selfless Masters vs. Paid Instructors

I just read the latest Tai Chi magazine and an article on Wu/Hao style had me thinking something to write this post. In the article the author explains that when he was in china he was low on funds, but the wu/hao Tai chi masters still taught him and wanted him to train as much as possible without pay and invited the author to stay at their homes at no cost.

Have you ever experienced anything like this?

well i have 2 teachers that are selfless and have great experience and skills in taiji. They both wont accept money from me and always treat me to tea and food and always give worthy lessons, even just as deep as the ones from renowned taiji teachers that go on tour and have expensive tai chi seminars.

do you think that free lessons are valued as much as expensive seminars?

sometimes i think it necessary to visit these traveling masters, but the local ones that train in the home are worth more to me and the lessons provided.