Was the story of the rich man and Lazarus a routine event?
No. Scripture presents the rich man and Lazarus as a single instance, not a routine occurrence. It is given for our benefit, with the Lord presenting it as one event, while the rich man is described as being in torment in Sheol/Hades and Lazarus carried to Abraham's bosom.
Les explains that Luke 16 records the account of the rich man and Lazarus, and he does not take it verse by verse. He notes that many have heard sermons about Abraham and Lazarus in paradise while the rich man was in torment. In verse 22 the beggar died and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died, was buried, and in hell—down in Sheol—lifted up his eyes in torment, seeing Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. Les emphasizes this is just one instance that took place for our benefit; it did not happen routinely, but the Lord presents it as one instance. The rich man cries for mercy and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue because he is tormented in the flame. Les adds that the rich man is not there bodily; they will be in the lake of fire, but here he is only in the realm of the soul and spirit.
More Questions
Did the event in Luke 16 where the rich man saw Abraham happen routinely or only once as an example?
The scene of the rich man seeing Abraham in Hades was a one-time occurrence Jesus revealed for people's benefit; such a revelation did not happen routinely.