It is a friendly way to tell someone that you (The speaker) will pick up the tab.
So if you are having lunch with a friend, and the bill arrives, and the friend says "put your wallet away" he is really saying "you don't need to pay, because I will pay the bill" Or, you don't need to take your wallet out, because I will be paying.
The correct response is "Thank you" unless he has paid for you a few times already, in which case the correct response is "Thank you, but I am treating YOU today!"