I’m not thinking of salvation here but of service.
The fundamental “work” God requires is “to believe
in him whom he has sent”. Faith is foundational to pleasing God, but the faith that pleases God has
always historically manifested itself in works. It can be no other way. Leaving
aside the thief on the cross, it is pretty clear that love displays itself in obedience.
So faith precedes all works that matter to
God, of course.