What qualifies as works?

​I'm looking for a better understanding of this. I've seen people go back and forth on the issue. Some say that abstaining from sin, baptism, praying, reading the Bible, etc., are good works and evidence of salvation. On the other hand, I've seen people say that those things are neither good works nor evidence of salvation, and that good works are actual deeds you do for others—like volunteer work, giving money to the poor, etc.

​What do folks here have to say about this?