In the Bible, the idea of perseverance is often attributed to two things – work and service. Fathers who want the best for their children persevere so they can earn money to fulfil the needs of their family. Perseverance can only be applied to continuous service to God.
Now, working and serving may be similar in difficulty, but their rewards are different. Working is often associated with earning a living, and a particular type of work results in a wage or payment. On the other hand, service is not paid for because it is an act of love and allegiance to the Lord.
In the life of a believer, perseverance should not be focused on work or labor because its results may pass away. However, service unto the Lord remains, and would even be rewarded someday.