Faith and Work (not works)

Does doing God's will take more than just faith?
Does it take a lot of work too?

First off this is not a discussion of salvation. Salvation takes absolutely NO human ability, thankfully. This is a thought about Christians, which are left on this earth for a purpose after salvation, and how we are to then live.

Is there a difference between gifts and abilities?

Abilities can be created/modified by surrounding, upbringing, location, physical. We can practice our abilities and make them better. Family life and opportunities may give one abilities and not another. Abilities can be limited by physical things like handicaps and can change with age. Gifts from God can't be practiced into, are for His glorification, transcend setting-family-status, and are probably noticeably beyond us.

Can we be given a Gift and need to use/improve our abilities to have the Gift bring Him glory?