Before the fall, God already gave mankind work to do: made in His image, they were told to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over creation, and Adam was placed in the garden to cultivate and keep it (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15). Because believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand, that dominion mandate continues today, and good works done well are meant to be seen, leading others to glorify the Father (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).
The fall distorted work into mere economic survival, but Christ, the redeemed and obedient man, restores its true purpose, and even household relationships between servants and masters become opportunities to work heartily as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23). Because work is oriented toward the new heavens and new earth, it continues into eternity, freed at last from frustration, so that work and rest together fulfill the purpose God assigned humanity from the beginning.