Why not both.
As a kid, Chris didn't understand. As an adult, Chris now knows better. He may not consider empathetic things in the moment, but any time he has the opportunity to look ahead and plan things, he's shown time and again that he's as selfish as they come. If Chris' debts were all vacated tomorrow and Chris won the lottery, do you think he'd help other people go to Bronycon? Again, he may not think of it in the moment, but when someone asked him or made him aware that he was in a position to help someone else, we all know what he'd do.
Edit: Just re-listen to the "Julie reveals herself" audio on youtube.
Chris equally wanted china and his PSN, and 100% believed he should get both because he "made the right choice" in saying he chose Julie.